Bangladesh made a sweeping change to the squad in the third T20 International against Zimbabwe in the name of experiment, giving an outright surprise.
As Bangladesh aimed to wrap up the series with a match to go, the wholesale changes however didn’t come as good. Bangladesh eventually lost the match by 31 runs with Zimbabwe batsmen plundering the inexperienced bowling attack mercilessly to post 187 for six, its third highest and highest total against Bangladesh.
There was whispering that Bangladesh could bring up as many as five changes including Tamim Iqbal. With series was still not sure, the exclusion of Tamim Iqbal wasn’t expected much. However after the toss which was delayed by 15 minutes due to drizzle, the rumours turned out to be a precision.
Tamim was replaced by Imrul Kayes while four players- Mosaddek Hossain, Muktar Ali, Mohammad Shahid and Abu Haider made their debut.
Team sources said head coach Hathurusinga instigated the sweeping changes in order to give all players an opportunity to have a match practice. It however left Bangladesh field an inexperienced side against a team who are trying to get back on the groove. The four players replaced Mushfiqur Rahim, picked up a hamstring injury during the second match and Shuvagata Hom, Al-Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman who were rested.
Last time six cricketers made a debut for Bangladesh in a Twenty20 International was way back in 2007, when Alok Kapali, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Ashraful, Nazimuddin, Syed Rasel and Tamim Iqbal achieved their caps against Kenya in Nairobi. That was the just second T20 of Bangladesh. Three players each made debut against Ireland and Zimbabwe in 2012.