Imrul Kayes, Abu Hider Rony, Ariful Haque and Nazmul Islam Apu were left out of ODI squad while Soumya Sarker and Ariful Haque were axed from the Test side.
Nayeem Hasan, the right-arm spinner, has also been included in the ODI team for the first time.
Sabbir is serving a six-month ban for abusing a fan in social media and was not supposed to play until the end of February. However, the BCB decided to reduce the ban by a month, allowing him to play in the New Zealand tour.
BCB chief selector Minhazul Abedin said the board’s disciplinary committee had decided to reduce one month ban due to a demand from ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
“When we contacted the board’s disciplinary committee before finalising the team, it said Sabbir was available for the national team. Mashrafe also requested us to include him,” he said.
“Let me make one thing clear about Sabbir, he has been included as a strong choice of the captain. He requested us firmly to include him, and we have agreed with the captain. The team want someone in the squad who can bat in the lower order and handle the pacers well,” he said.
“We included him keeping the New Zealand tour and the World Cup in mind. Let us see what he can do. The captain of the team and we are also confident that he will do well,” Minhazul added.
On the other hand, Taskin was left out of the national team after his dismal show during South Africa tour in 2017. He was recalled in the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka last year but failed to impress. Along with off-form, Taskin was suffering from several injury concerns.
But he has been performing superbly in the ongoing season of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Sylhet Sixers. He has taken 14 wickets in seven matches so far. Minhazul said Taskin’s form in the BPL has paved his way to the national side.
“Taskin was suffering from injuries but he was under our rehabilitation programme. We have nursed him enough to get back to his old form. He has been doing well in BPL and we considered him for his recent show,” the chief selector said.
Bangladesh will face the Kiwis in three ODIs and as many as Tests during their tour. The ODIs will be played on February 13, 16 and 20 at Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin respectively. The Tests will be played at Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch on February 28 February, March 8 and 16 respectively.
Bangladesh Test squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudulla Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed Rahi, Khaled Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed
Bangladesh ODI squad: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Naeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saif Uddin, Taskin Ahmed and Sabbir Rahman