BCB has named Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh captain for three ODIs against Afghanistan in Sharjah next week. The announcement follows discussions between Shanto and BCB president Faruque Ahmed on Thursday evening following the Chattogram Test. Shanto informed the board of his reluctance to continue as Bangladesh’s captain in all formats. However, BCB has not announced the squad for the West Indies tour where Bangladesh will play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
Faruque told the media on Thursday that Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed, who were named as Shanto’s deputies for the Afghanistan series, were “frontrunners” in the BCB captaincy discussions.
All three are part of the Bangladesh ODI team. 22-year-old pacer Nahid Rana is the only uncapped player in the side. Rana has played five Tests so far and has impressed with his speed and bounce. He has taken 26 wickets at 16.46 seconds in 10 List-A matches.
The selectors also recalled opener Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed. Left-handed Zakir played just one ODI along with 12 Tests last year. Meanwhile, Nasum played the last of his 15 ODIs in the World Cup in India last year.
There was no room for Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam and Hasan Mahmud. Mahmoud is currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury in the ongoing National Cricket League.
The Bangladesh national team, which is divided into two groups on Saturday and Sunday and departs for Dubai, will play three ODI matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 6, 9 and 11.
Soumya Sarkar, Tanjid Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyadh, Tohid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Takin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoreful Islam, Nahid Rana
