After his dream debut in T20 International, Jaker Ali Anik found a place in Bangladesh ODI squad as it was expected.

While he was knocking at the door of the national team, opener Liton Das’ bad patch with the willow created an opportunity for Jaker, who is also a wicket-keeper batter.

Liton bagged two consecutive ducks in the first two matches against Sri Lanka. He was out for first-ball duck in the first match and followed it with third-ball duck in the second game.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selection panel led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu however made this only chance for Monday’s crucial third and series deciding ODI against Sri Lanka in Chattogram.

The series currently stands at 1-1 following Sri Lanka's victory in the second ODI by three wickets on Friday. Bangladesh won the first match by six wickets, thanks to a superb century of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

“With the series now hanging in the balance, we believe Jaker Ali’s addition will provide the team with more options and flexibility in the middle order,” Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Chairman of the National Selection Panel, said, explaining the decision behind Jaker’s inclusion.

“Considering Liton's recent performance in white-ball cricket, we opted for this change, mindful of the availability of two other capable openers within the squad.”

The 26-year-old Jaker Ali Anik has made an impressive start to his international career and averages 55 after six appearances in T20 matches for Bangladesh. He has close to 2000 runs from 84 List A games where he is averaging 35.

Squad for 3rd ODI
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Jaker Ali Anik.