Tanvir Islam, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad and participated in preparation matches, has unfortunately been left out of the lineup for the upcoming series against India due to a broken hand. This injury has sidelined the young spinner, limiting his chances to showcase his skills in the national team.

Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, the chief selector, has dispelled rumors regarding Tanvir’s exclusion from the squad, clarifying that Rakibul Hasan has been considered as a potential alternative. Rakibul, who was part of the victorious U-19 World Cup team, has been given a second chance in the national setup, although he has yet to make his debut. Lipu acknowledged that the chances of Rakibul being included in the final XI remain slim, as the focus is primarily on using Sheikh Mehedi Hasan with the new ball.

"Tanvir is out of the squad due to his hand injury, and he has been away from the game for quite some time. In his absence, we have considered Rakibul Hasan as a possible replacement," Lipu explained.

He emphasized that Rakibul earned his place through competitive performance. Lipu added, "He [Rakibul] had to compete with several players to earn his spot in the team. We are considering his performance in the selection process. However, it’s important to note that there are no guarantees for an automatic place in the starting eleven. If the captain thinks about combinations, Rakibul could be a good option. Similarly, we’ve included Sheikh Mehedi as well. He performs exceptionally well with the new ball during the powerplay, and Rakibul also has the capability to bowl effectively with the new ball."

With the Bangladesh team strategizing for the series against India, the selectors are balancing the lineup with both emerging talents and seasoned players, keeping an eye on potential match-winning combinations.