Najmul Hossain to lead Bangladesh in Champions Trophy

DHAKA: Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai next month, the cricket board said Sunday, with key players including Liton Das missing the cut.

Former star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also missing from the 15-man squad for the one-day international tournament.

The Champions Trophy takes place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 with Bangladesh placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Bangladesh are ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.

They play their opener against India in Dubai on February 20.

Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das not included

While Shakib Al Hasan’s exclusion does not come as a surprise due to his ongoing issues with bowling action, Litton Das not making the cut has shocked some fans and analysts. According to an Indian sports publication points out this by calling Das “a reliable top-order batsman”.

Bangladesh has put together a squad that seems to rely more on younger talent instead of trying out the seasoned players. That said, the skipper along with Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mahmudullah Riyad will offer much needed experience and expertise to the team in the tournament.