Seasoned all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and young opening batter Mohammad Naim have been left out, while Nurul Hasan and Saif Hassan return to the side, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-member squad for the Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on 9 September.
On the back of strong performances in domestic cricket and for Bangladesh A, Nurul has earned his place back in the team. He last played for Bangladesh in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Saif, who has played five T20Is, last featured in the 2023 Asian Games. The spin-bowling all-rounder’s inclusion comes following his recent form in the Global Super League and performances for Bangladesh A against the Shaheens and Melbourne Stars Academy.
With these two players making a comeback, Mehidy and Mohammad Naim, who were part of the Pakistan T20Is, have been left out.
Sarkar, Hasan, Tanvir names in the reserves
While Mehidy has been named among the reserves, Naim has been omitted altogether, with Soumya Sarkar included in the reserves alongside Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud.
Before flying to the UAE for the continental tournament, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series against the Netherlands in Sylhet. It is worth noting that the same 16-member squad will feature in that series.
This will be Litton Das’s first assignment as full-time captain after taking over from Najmul. Bangladesh are placed alongside Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong in Group B and will begin their campaign on 11 September.
Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup and Netherlands T20Is: Litton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin
Standby (for Asia Cup only): Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud