Rakibul Hasan has been selected for the national T20 team for the first time. His name is synonymous with Bangladesh's first international tournament victory, achieved by the U-19 team. In 2020, under Rakibul's leadership, Bangladesh's youth team clinched the U-19 World Cup. Since then, he has consistently performed well in domestic cricket.
Rakibul's impressive performances have now earned him a spot in the 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against India, announced by the BCB on Sunday. Mehdi Hasan Miraj also makes a return to the team after a 14-month hiatus.
Expressing his feelings about his national team call-up for the upcoming T20 series against India, Rakibul said, "I feel good." Discussing his objectives, he added, "Every player aims to give their best. I will also strive to give my best."
The Bangladesh T20 squad will be missing two key players: Shakib Al Hasan and Tanveer Islam. However, Rakibul is unfazed by the challenge, stating, "Challenges are always present, and this is another one. I love playing with challenges. The main goal is to perform well in the face of these challenges."
When asked about the excitement of being selected to play against a powerhouse like India, Rakibul remarked, "India are a very good team, and everyone enjoys playing against a strong side. Everyone tries to give their best, and I have the same goal."
It is worth noting that Rakibul was previously called up to the ODI team for the series against New Zealand in December last year. However, he did not get the opportunity to play in the national team's jersey at that time.
