Bangladesh cricketer Sabbir Rahma was banned from international cricket for six months following discsiplinary issues and a poor run of performances. His ban would have seen him remain unavailable for selection till March 1 but chief selector Minhazul Abedin informed that the length of the ban was reduced as the cricketer returned to the national team for the ODIs against New Zealand.

Questions were raised about the move as Sabbir is still serving an international ban. The chief selector informed that due to the reduction in ban, Sabbir was available to play from January 31. He also said that skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had stongly demanded that Sabbir be considered for the New Zealand series.

"To make it clear, Sabbir's inclusion was totally due to the captain's wishes. He strongly demanded that Sabbir be picked in the squad. And both of us [Minhazul and Habibul Bashar] agreed," he said.

"The team wants someone who can handle fast bowlers after coming in at lower middle order, since the conditions in England are different," he added about the tactical plan which led to Sabbir's inclusion.

"We took him in, keeping in mind our plans for the World Cup and New Zealand series. Lets see, the captain is confident about him. I am hopeful too," he said.

Sabbir hit a brillinat 51-ball 85 against Mashrafe's Rangpur in the BPL and Minhzul said that BPL performances cannot be counted out. "BPL is an international level tournament and his performance cannot be overlooked wholly. When the captain and team management has a plan, then the selectors will have to go along with that plan. Since the captain, coach let us know, we worked accordingly," he reiterated.

"Beofore selection is finalised, the team needs to be approved. The board president had to approve. We cannot select someone who has not been given clearance," he concluded.