Fazle replaces Shakib for NZ tour, Herath joins as spin coach

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi has replaced Shakib Al Hasan for Bangladesh’s upcoming two-match Test series in New Zealand after the star all-rounder was granted a leave following an official application.

Also, Rangana Herath has been appointed as the Tigers’ spin bowling coach for the next two years.

This is the first time Fazle has been called up to the Test side. He was previously called up for the one-day internationals side in 2018 when he played two matches but failed to score a run in those two matches.

His call-up comes after a great National Cricket League campaign, where he scored 603 runs in six matches at an average of 60.30, including five fifties and a hundred.

Herath, who had worked as Bangladesh’s spin consultant from the Zimbabwe tour earlier this year to the T20 World Cup, has been appointed on a two-year contract.

The former Sri Lankan left-arm spinner will work as the Tigers’ spin coach until November 2023. He will join the side in New Zealand.

The Bangladesh team will travel to New Zealand via Dubai, UAE. The Tigers left Dhaka at 1 AM on Thursday for Dubai.