Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque said that they have included Naim Sheikh in the 20-member squad despite lack of first-class cricket considering they don’t have enough options in their hand.

The inclusion opening batter Naim Sheikh, who is a regular face in Bangladesh's limited-over cricket, raised quite a few eyebrows considering he last played a red-ball game back in February 2020.

Naim, who has played only six first-class games, earned a pair in his last long-format match and was not considered anywhere in red-ball cricket since making his T20 debut.

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“We don’t have enough openers. Naim is someone who has been playing international cricket regularly. He has played T20s recently, which is why he missed a lot of first-class cricket. We wanted an opener who has been playing international cricket. An opener from domestic cricket would have a tough time adjusting in this situation. We also have to consider the New Zealand tour,’’ said Mominul.

“It definitely matters (whether we are playing red or white ball cricket). But we don’t have a backup opener. We can prepare an opener who has already played in one international format already, recently,’’ he said

“Opening combination could be lefty-righty,’’ he concluded hinting that uncapped Mahmudul Hasan might make a cut in the playing XI.

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