Wicketkeeper-batter back as Bangladesh name Asia Cup squad

Litton Das will take charge of the 16-member Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. The outfit unveiled by the Bangladesh Cricket Board will also feature against the Netherlands in a three-game T20I series preceding the Asia Cup.

The side sees the return of wicketkeeper-batter Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan who has received a call-up to the Bangladesh T20I side after almost three years. The 31-year-old had last featured in the format during the 2022 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Featuring the finest of teams in Asia, the upcoming eight-side tournament will be a crucial step in Bangladesh's journey towards the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year.

Bangladesh are slotted in Group B along with Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.

Squad:

Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin

STANDBY (For Asia Cup Only): Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Litton Das, who led Bangladesh to their maiden T20I series win against Sri Lanka followed by a series win over Pakistan at home in July, will continue to lead the side as they push their case for the marquee tournament in the subcontinent next year.

Also headlining the squad amongst the experienced campaigners are seasoned pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.

Meanwhile Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud have been named among the standby players for the upcoming T20I action.

A notable absentee is Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who, alongside Mohammad Naim was part of the squad that featured in the series win against Pakistan but haven't been included in the latest squad.

Bangladesh will go up against Netherlands in the first of three T20Is on August 30 in Sylhet.