Tanzid in but no Mahmudullah as Bangladesh announce Asia Cup squad

Experienced Mahmudullah Riyad did not make the cut while Tanzid Hasan Tamim got his first national team call-up as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup later this month.

After the BCB president had announced Shakib Al Hasan as the ODI skipper yesterday, ending days of speculation, the only pressing question regarding the squad for the Asia Cup, and also the World Cup later this year, was whether experienced campaigner Mahmudullah would make a comeback to the national side.

However, Mahmudullah, who was dropped following the ODIs against England at home last March due to poor performances, could not eventually make it into the side despite many suggesting his experience could have aided the side in such a big tournament. 

While 37-year-old Mahmudullah, already retired from Tests and T20Is, might be left pondering if he had already played his last game in Bangladesh colors, Tanzid Hasan Tamim will hope for a beginning to a prosperous international career.

Following his good run of form for Bangladesh A side in the recently concluded Emerging Asia Cup, Tanzid Tamim, a left-handed opener, has been called into the side for the first time as he remains among the three openers in the side alongside Liton Das and Mohammad Naim with the Tigers looking to fill the void of seasoned opener Tamim Iqbal, who opted out of the tournament due to injury concerns. 

Meanwhile, Shamim Hossain, yet to make his ODI debut, got a nod. Also, Mahedi Hasan, who last played an ODI for Bangladesh back in 2021, returns to the side alongside spinner Nasum Ahmed. Nasum last played an ODI during the Ireland series at home in March this year. 

The faces in the pace department stay the same for the Tigers with Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Hasan Mahmud all included in the squad.

Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Sheikh Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim Sheikh.

Stand By: Taijul Islam, Saif Hassan, Tanzim Sakib.