Najmul Hossain Shanto forced to continue as captain as Bangladesh squad for Afghanistan ODIs announced
Published - 02 Nov 2024, 01:14 PM | Updated - 02 Nov 2024, 01:15 PM
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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled the 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting on November 6 in the United Arab Emirates. Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the Bangladesh cricket team in three matches despite wanting to step down from the role.
After suffering a disappointing 2-0 Test series loss to South Africa at home, Najmul Hossain Shanto was hesitant about continuing as the all-format Bangladesh captain. However, BCB President Faruque Ahmed has managed to persuade the batter to retain the captaincy for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has not yet announced the squads for the West Indies tour, including two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is later this month. On Thursday, Faruque said that Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed are front runners for captaincy. Mehidy was appointed as Shanto's deputy for the Afghanistan series.
Najmul Hossain Shanto To Lead Bangladesh In Upcoming ODI Series
Nahid Rana is the only uncapped player in the Bangladesh squad. The 22-year-old tearaway quick has played five Tests for Bangladesh. He has taken 26 wickets at an average of 16.46 in ten List-A matches. Wicketkeeper batter Litton Das will not be part of the squad as he is still recovering from an illness.
The selectors picked Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed into the squad. Zakir has only played one ODI alongside his 12 Test Tests, while Nasum last played in the World Cup in India. Anamul Haque and Taijul Islam dropped from the squad, and Hasan Mahmud missed out due to a shoulder injury.
Bangladesh Squad For ODI Series Against Afghanistan
Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
Shakib Al Hasan Was Disappointed From His Side - Faruque Ahmed
Faruque Ahmed said that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is not available for the upcoming 50-over matches. Speaking to reporters in Chattogram, Ahmed said that Shakib was disappointed after missing the last Test against South Africa.
"When he (Shakib) could not play the last Test (against South Africa), he was disappointed from his side. What I feel is that when he could not play he was disappointed and did not practice. He is a very professional player and felt that because he is not into training it will not be wise for him as well as for the country to play this series (against Afghanistan)," Ahmed told reporters in Chattogram, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"The decision came from Shakib and I am talking about the slim possibility (of playing against Afghanistan) due to his mental state came from him."
"The things through which players have to go through, unless you are a player is difficult to understand. This mental thing (of playing cricket) will be obstructed mentally and it is very normal no matter how tough he is mentally."
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Najmul Hossain Shanto Bangladesh National Cricket Team Afghanistan National Cricket Team AFG Vs BAN Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
