Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, the uncapped pace-bowling all-rounder, has been included in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the first two T20Is against New Zealand.

Saqlain received his maiden call up to the national team with the team management of the opinion that his bowling skills are ideally suited for this format. He is also a handy batter down the order with big0hitting abilities.

Right arm quick Ripon Mondal, who has impressed with his bowling at the death, has been rewarded for his consistency. The 23-year-old has played three T20 matches for Bangladesh but all in the 2023 Asian Games cricket competition.

Bangladesh T20I squad for first two matches: Litton Kumer Das (Captain), Mohammed Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Shamim Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Shaif Uddin, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.

"You have noticed we have included two new faces in Ripon Mondol and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Of course Ripon is playing well, we can utilise his wicket-taking skills. As for Saqlain, we were looking for a bowling all-rounder, that's why we picked him. I hope he will be able to fill the absence of a bowling all-rounder in the team," Habibul Bashar, the chairman of selection panel, said following the announcement of the team.

The team management decided to rest experienced pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, and tearaway quick Nahid Rana for the first two matches of the three-match series. Mustafizur Rahman, meanwhile, is expected to depart for the Pakistan Super League to join Lahore Qalandars.

"Obviously we wanted to try some new faces in the T20 side, that's why we rested Nahid Rana, and also Taskin Ahmed. Nahid needs rest after playing the One Day Internationals (against New Zealand) and before the Test matches," said Habibul while added that they are also banking on the ability another pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin.

"We have a good all-rounder in the squad in Saifuddin. We didn't change the batsmen, those who were here previously have been retained. We hope the T20 team would play well," added the chief selector.

The series kicks off in Chattogram on April 27, with the second match also to be played at the same venue on 29 April. The third and final fixture of the series will be held at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 2.