Liton Das is back in Bangladesh’s ODI side as captain, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announcing a 16-member squad for the upcoming tri-series in the United Arab Emirates, also featuring Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, on Saturday.The wicketkeeper-batter missed Bangladesh’s ODI series against Zimbabwe in July due to a calf injury but returns to lead the side in the tournament starting October 17. Tawhid Hridoy has been named vice-captain, while experienced all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz retains his place in the squad.The tournament will provide Bangladesh with an opportunity to assess their resources as they build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Aliss earns maiden ODI call-up
Mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam is the notable new face in the squad, earning his maiden ODI call-up after impressing in domestic cricket. The off-spinner has taken 35 wickets in 19 List A matches and 60 wickets in 59 T20s. He has also represented Bangladesh in T20I cricket, making his debut during the Asian Games.Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud returns to the squad, while express pacer Nahid Rana misses out as he continues to recover from a side strain. Rana has been absent from international cricket since July and also missed Bangladesh’s historic Test series draw against Australia, the Asian Games and the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan.Liton was appointed ODI captain in July, taking over from Mehidy, whom the board wants to allow to focus on his all-round contributions without the additional leadership responsibility.
Tri-series begins on October 17
Bangladesh will open their campaign against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on October 17 before facing Afghanistan on October 21. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will meet on October 19, with the top two sides advancing to the final on October 23.Zimbabwe have also announced their squad, with Sikandar Raza set to captain the side. Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa have been included in place of Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer, while fast bowler Richard Ngarava continues his recovery from a back injury.Kaia is recovering from a thigh strain but is expected to be available for Zimbabwe’s T20I series, Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement.
- Bangladesh squad: Liton Das (c), Tawhid Hridoy (vc), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.
