Shakib Al Hasan is set to rejoin the white-ball cricket scene as Bangladesh unveils a 15-member squad for the final two matches of the five-game T20I series against Zimbabwe, scheduled for Wednesday.

Having recently returned to Test cricket after an absence of nearly a year, Shakib’s hiatus stemmed from eye issues encountered during the previous ICC ODI World Cup in India. Post-event, he underwent a conservative recovery phase, missing out on a white-ball series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh squad for Zimbabwe: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Litton Kumar Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin 

Notably, Shakib opted out of the initial three T20Is against Zimbabwe to participate in the Dhaka Premier League, honing his skills for international contests.

Mustafizur Rahman, rested for the series’ opening fixtures post his stint in the Indian Premier League, reenters the squad, alongside Soumya Sarkar, who recuperated from a knee injury sustained in the ODIs against Sri Lanka.

The selection sees Shoriful Islam being granted a break, with the decision rooted in both team management’s and Shoriful’s mutual acknowledgment of the need for family time. Meanwhile, Afif Hossain and Parvez Hossain didn’t secure spots in the squad. According to selector Abdur Razzak, this decision was made to ensure Shoriful can return revitalized, having been continuously engaged in cricket for an extended period.