The Bangladesh cricket squad left for India on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the ICC World Cup, which will get underway on October 5 with a match between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
The opening game between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is scheduled for October 7 at Dharamshala. The Tigers will play two official warm-up games against England and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on September 23 and October 2, respectively, before that.
Just one day before the team’s departure for India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the lineup.
Najmul Hossain Shanto will serve as Shakib Al Hasan’s assistant throughout this year’s World Cup.
Star opener Tamim Iqbal did not make the cut due to injuries, as the selection panel opted to omit him. Tamim’s exclusion sparked a minor controversy, as former captain Masrafe bin Mortaza asserted that Tamim made the decision not to be part of the team, rather than being left out.
With Tamim absent, Bangladesh must now fill the void he leaves at the top of the order.
However, Mahmudullah Riyad, who has been grappling with poor form for an extended period, secured a spot in the World Cup team.
Bangladesh chose five speed bowlers, including newcomer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, out of the 15 players in the roster. Nasum Ahmed is their only real spinner as well.
Senior players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mustafizur Rahman, and Najmul Hossain Shanto will be crucial to Bangladesh’s success in 2017 World Cup as other players have yet to prove they can win matches.
Bangladesh Squad for the World Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Vice Captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
