News IN BRIEF

Bangladesh T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad was the surprise last-minute inclusion in Tigers' Test squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. The 35-year-old returned to the Test side after 16 months, having played his last Test back in February 2020 against Pakistan. "We have a few injury concerns as both Tamim (Iqbal) and Mushfiqur (Rahim)continue to recover from their knee and finger injuries, respectively. Long tour and conditions in Zimbabwe demanded that we minimize risks and thus form a bigger squad. Mainly he [Mahmudullah] is the backup for the batsman Mushfiqur," cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan  told the media yesterday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath as Tigers' spin bowling consultant and South Africa's Ashwell Prince as their batting consultant. Herath will join the team in Zimbabwe and will be in the role until the end of Bangladesh's campaign in this year's ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Prince has reached an agreement with the BCB to work for the tour of Zimbabwe 2021. "We are planning to get Herath on a long-term contract and we will have Prince for a few series first and then plan to extend his contract till the next T20 World Cup," said Akram Khan.