Five players who were part of Bangladesh A’s recent tour of Australia have also made it into the 25-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Asia Cup.
“Shanto was in a cheerful mood at the BCB today, as he is set to join the national team’s camp for the Asia Cup.” The players, including Shanto, have been asked to report on August 6 for a fitness camp.
A total of 25 players have been called up, including Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Khaled Ahmed, and Nahid Rana.
The fitness camp starts on August 6, followed by the skill camp from August 15. After August 20, the remainder of the preparation will shift to Sylhet, where the Netherlands team is expected to arrive.
Following the Pakistan tour in May–June, Nahid Rana hasn’t featured in the T20 squad, and Shanto has been out of the format since then as well. Their inclusion in the preliminary squad for the Netherlands series and the Asia Cup offers a ray of hope for a return.
The 25-man preliminary squad begins training this Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur with the fitness camp.
Coaches currently on leave are expected to return to Dhaka between August 10 and 12. The skill camp begins August 15, and full preparations will continue in Sylhet from August 20.
As part of the Asia Cup preparations, Bangladesh will face the Netherlands in a three-match T20 series in Sylhet. Although the official schedule hasn’t been announced, the Dutch side is likely to arrive on August 26.
The five players from the Australia tour — Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Saif Hassan, Hasan Mahmud, and Mahidul Islam Ankon — have all been named in the preliminary squad. However, they will leave for Australia on Thursday and will miss the initial preparation phase for the Netherlands series. Still, they remain in consideration for the Asia Cup.
There are no completely uncapped players in this squad. Except for Ankon, all have previously represented Bangladesh in T20 internationals.
The Asia Cup kicks off on September 9. Bangladesh will play their first match on September 11 against Hong Kong. Their other group stage opponents are Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, with all matches set to be held in Abu Dhabi.
Bangladesh’s 25-member Preliminary Squad
Liton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Naim Sheikh, Parvez Hossain Emon, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sheikh Mehedi, Zakir Ali Anik, Shamim Patwari, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Sakib, Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, Shariful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Ankon, Saif Hassan.
