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Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as Bangladesh National Cricket Team captain as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which will be played in the UAE from October 9, 2026.
The squad has a mix of experienced names, regular performers and young options. Bangladesh have also named three travelling reserves for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Amid this, New Bangladesh T20I captain: 2 stars in contention to replace Nigar Sultana.
BCB named squad for one-off Test bewteen Bangladesh and Afghanistan
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as Bangladesh’s Test captain for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. The national selectors have kept plenty of experience in their batting line-up.
Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Tawhid Hridoy, and Jaker Ali Anik all have made it to the squad. Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, and Tanzid Hasan provide more batting options for the team.
The spin department will be led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. Their experience will be important for Bangladesh in UAE conditions. The pace attack includes Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Shoriful Islam.
Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan has been named as a reserve along with pacers Musfik Hasan and Iqbal Hossain Emon. The three players will travel with the main squad to the UAE. The one-off Test against Afghanistan will be played from October 9 and will start a busy multi-format period for Afghanistan in the UAE during October and November.
Bangladesh squad for one-off Test vs Afghanistan:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam.
Reserves: Iqbal Hossain Emon, Nayeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan
Akbar Ali’s Bangladesh snub raises serious questions over his future
Meanwhile, Akbar Ali’s continued absence from Bangladesh’s recent touring squads has raised questions, especially after selectors gave chances to several less experienced players. Between July and September, Bangladesh sent 63 players on Emerging, High Performance, and A team tours to Australia and South Africa, but Akbar was not picked for any of them.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was forced to play club cricket in England. His recent form was not outstanding, with 217 runs in nine innings in the 2025-26 Dhaka Premier Division at an average of 24.11. However, he also scored 121 for North Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League and had earlier helped Rangpur Division win the domestic double.
Akbar’s leadership record also makes his absence notable. He captained Bangladesh to their first men’s Under-19 World Cup title in 2020 and later led the team at the Asia Cup Rising Stars. Amid this, Tauseef Ahmed claims Saqlain Mushtaq tried to push Shadab Khan’s selection.
Is CWAB role impacting his Bangladesh future?
Bangladesh’s chief selector Habibul Bashar had previously said Akbar remained in Bangladesh’s plans. However, his complete absence from the overseas program has created a clear question over his future.
Akbar is also a Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) executive committee member and was reportedly involved in disagreements over players’ issues. There are claims that his name was considered for some tours before being removed.
Akbar has rejected conspiracy claims but admitted that being left out hurt him. The situation has now raised serious questions about how selection and expressing dissent may play a role in his continuous snub.
