Khaled and Hasan to Travel with Bangladesh Squad to Dubai
Bangladesh’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy remains unchanged, but two additional pacers, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, will accompany the team to Dubai for training support ahead of the tournament. Both bowlers will return home before the tournament officially begins.
Nazmul Abedin, head of BCB’s cricket operations, confirmed the decision to bdnews24.com, stating:
“Two pacers, Hasan Mahmud and Khaled, will travel with the national team. Their main role is to assist during the preparation phase. They will return before Bangladesh’s first match. They will be part of the training sessions in the UAE.”
Bangladesh is set to leave for the ICC tournament on Thursday night, with Khaled and Hasan joining them on the same flight. Both players have already participated in the ongoing training camp in Dhaka.
Both pacers performed impressively in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Hasan, representing Khulna Tigers, took 14 wickets in 13 matches while maintaining an economy rate of just over 7 runs per over, despite regularly bowling in the death overs. Khaled, playing for Chattogram Kings, claimed 20 wickets in 14 matches, making him the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
Bangladesh’s official training camp for the Champions Trophy kicked off on Saturday at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Alongside Khaled and Hasan, the team’s preparation has been supported by pacers Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Mushfik Hasan, and Rejaur Rahman Raja.
Bangladesh will begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their next two group-stage matches will take place in Rawalpindi against New Zealand and Pakistan.
