Hossain earns call-up

Fast bowler Rubel Hossain has performed well for Bangladesh A in the past

Uncapped 19-year-old fast bowler Rubel Hossain has been selected in a 14-man Bangladesh squad for the triangular one-day series and the bilateral one-day tournament against Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh host Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a short tri-nation series starting on January 10 in Mirpur.

Sri Lanka are then scheduled to return home after the final on January 16, while Zimbabwe will remain in Mirpur for a three-match one-day series.

Batsmen Imrul Kayes and Rajin Saleh have been left out, as have pacemen Shahadat Hossain and Sajedul Islam. The quarter were part of the Test team which lost both Test matches against Sri Lanka.

Middle-order batsman Mahmudullah Riyad earned a recall, while left-arm spinner Enamul Haque (Jnr) returns to the team after an absence of almost three years.

"Riyad has been rewarded for his batting form," chief selector Rafiqul Alam said.

"Unfortunately Imrul Kayes had to give way as he has not managed to deliver despite getting opportunities.

"However, he will remain in contention as he is someone whom we think will perform in the future."

Rubel was a surprise inclusion but was picked for his express pace.

"Rubel has performed well for the Under-19 team and the Bangladesh A side," Rafiq added.

"He has been impressive in the domestic arena also. He has extra pace and a deceptive slingshot action. He is an attacking bowler and comes in for Sajedul, who is more of a Test bowler."

Bangladesh play Zimbabwe in the first match of the series in Mirpur on Saturday.

Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Raqibul Hassan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain (Jnr), Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mahbubul Alam, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Enamul Haque (Jnr).