Liton, Tamim to be rested for third ODI against NZ

Captain Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal has asked for rest in the third and final ODI against New Zealand, confirmed selector Habibul Bashar on Sunday.

Bangladesh lost the second ODI against New Zealand by 68 runs on Saturday where Liton failed to make an impact and was dismissed after scoring six runs.

The stand in skipper for the ongoing series will not feature for the third and series deciding encounter on Tuesday. Liton missed out the first round of the Asia Cup earlier this month due to viral fever before joining the team in the Super Four phase. The 28 year old informed that he was not feeling well and wanted to return fresh before the World Cup.

Since regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan is not available and with Liton now rested for the final ODI, the team management will announce the captain for the third ODI against New Zealand today.

Experienced Tamim on the other hand who scored 44 runs in the second ODI also faced some discomfort since making a comeback to international cricket. The experienced left hander also wanted rest to recover from his back injury.

"Liton will be rested for the third and final ODI against New Zealand. Since recovering from his viral fever he joined the team in the Asia Cup so he needed some rest before returning for the World Cup. Tamim on the other hand also feeling some discomfort on his back and asked for rest after playing the second ODI. The medical team will assess his condition and decide over his condition by today," Bashar told The Daily Star.

Meanwhile Bashar also confirmed that pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will join the squad for the third and final ODI.