Bangladesh have finalized their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, with veteran batter missing out.
Newly-named skipper Shakib Al Hasan will continue to lead the side, while Najmul Hossain Shanto was elevated to vice-captaincy but the big news remains the exclusion of Tamim Iqbal, who had reversed his ODI retirement earlier in the year.
Tamim had announced his decision to step down as the Bangladesh ODI team captain after a back injury had ruled him out of the Asia Cup 2023. However, he regained fitness ahead of the World Cup, but is no longer a part of the squad for the tournament.
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Furthermore, pacer Ebadot Hossain has failed to recover in time for the World Cup. He had sustained a knee injury during the ODI series against Afghanistan in July, and underwent a knee surgery on 30 August.
Despite Tamim’s absence, Bangladesh’s batting features the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton and Shakib. Spin continues to remain the team’s strong point, featuring an exceptional set of finger spinners in Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan.
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A number of these spinners are also capable all-rounders, including Shakib and Mehidy while Nasum also showcased his talent with the bat in the recent Asia Cup.
And despite the loss of Ebadot, the pace bowling has enough skill to cause troubles in the opposition ranks. Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman lead the way with Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan for support.
Bangladesh World Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
The team will play two World Cup warm-up fixtures at Guwahati against Sri Lanka and England respectively. They open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan at Dharamsala on 7 October.
