The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against India. As expected, the country’s biggest sporting attraction at the moment, Hamza Choudhury, has been included in the squad.
From the 29 players who recently completed a 12-day training camp in Saudi Arabia, four players have been left out—forwards Fahamidul Islam, Piyas Ahmed Nova, Arif Hossain, and defender Taj Uddin. Fahamidul’s exclusion had already been hinted at earlier, sparking discussions and debates.
The final squad consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five forwards, and a midfield-heavy selection of nine players. Alongside Hamza, the squad includes captain Jamal Bhuiyan, rising star Sheikh Morsalin, and Syed Shah Kazem Kirmani, who recently returned from Canada. Interestingly, Shah Kazem is the son of former Bangladesh cricketer Halim Shah.
Head coach Javier Cabrera had initially named a 38-man preliminary squad in February, marking Hamza’s first-ever call-up to the national team. Before heading to the Saudi camp, eight players were cut, bringing the squad down to 30. Injuries to midfielder Papon Singha and defender Sushanto Tripura further reduced the squad to 28. With four more exclusions today, the final 24-man squad has been confirmed.
Bangladesh will face India on Tuesday evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, commonly known as Polo Ground. The team has already departed for Shillong this morning to prepare for the crucial fixture.
Bangladesh Squad for India Match
- Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Shrabon.
- Defenders: Shakil Ahad, Rahmat Mia, Tariq Kazi, Topu Barman, Sad Uddin, Eisa Faisal, Shakil Hossain.
- Midfielders: Chandan Roy, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Mojibur Rahman Jony, Syed Shah Kazem Kirmani, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuiyan, Hamza Choudhury.
- Forwards: Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Ibrahim, Shahriar Emon, Al Amin, Rakib Hossain.
