No Shakib, Liton as Rana makes ODI squad for Afghanistan series

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan in UAE without ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and experienced wicket-keeper batter Liton Das. While there were question marks over Najmul Hossain Shanto's captaincy stint, he was named as captain and will lead the side in UAE.

Shakib made himself unavailable for the series after BCB president Faruque Ahmed had relayed yesterday that the all-rounder perhaps did not want to play due to lack of preparation.

The BCB press release read that Liton 'is still suffering from fever which had kept him out of the second Test against South Africa.'

Pacer Nahid Rana was got his maiden ODI call up.

Spinner Nasum Ahmed returned to the ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup. There was no place for paceman Tanzim Hasan Sakib, out with injury while Shoriful Islam returns to the Bangladesh setup after sitting out the South Africa Tests.

Zakir Hasan was another notable inclusion in the 15-member squad. Both Taijul Islam and Anamul Haque were left out of the squad.

The Bangladesh team will depart for Dubai in two groups on Saturday and Sunday. The ODIs will be on 6, 9 and 11 November.

Squad:

1. Soumya Sarkar

2. Tanzid Hasan Tamim

3. Zakir Hasan

4. Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)

5. Mushfiqur Rahim

6. Mahmudullah Riyad

7. Tawhid Hridoy

8. Jaker Ali Anik

9. Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Vice Captain)

10. Rishad Hossain

11. Nasum Ahmed

12. Taskin Ahmed

13. Mustafizur Rahman

14. Shoriful Islam

15. Nahid Rana