Sports Desk:

After all the uncertainties that grew for the past few days, Najmul Hossain Shanto would lead Bangladesh in the forthcoming three-match one-day international series against Afghanistan in the UAE, as the BCB announced a 15-member squad on Friday.

Shanto recently expressed his desire to quit the captaincy but BCB president Faruque Ahmed told the reporters in Chattogram on Thursday that he would sit down with him to solve the matter. Now it is clear that Shanto was convinced to carry on.

Liton Das missed out as the wicketkeeper-batter was still suffering from fever as per a media release sent by the BCB. The fever also kept him out of the second Test against South Africa that concluded in Chattogram on Thursday.

There was no place for Shakib Al Hasan either, as BCB president Faruque Ahmed earlier hinted that the star all-rounder was not mentally and physically ready for this series.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana is the only uncapped member of the squad. The pace-sensation, who already played five Tests for Bangladesh, has been called up for the first time in ODIs.

Left-handed batter Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed made a comeback to the side.

Nasum last played in the format against Australia in Pune in the 2023 World Cup. Zakir’s only game was in September that year, against New Zealand in Mirpur.

Batter Anamul Haque, spinner Taijul Islam, and pacer Hasan Mahmud were omitted from the squad that last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in March this year.

Bangladesh will depart for Dubai in two groups today and Sunday. The three ODIs are scheduled for November 6, 9, and 11, respectively. All the matches are at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh last played in a bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan in July 2023, where they lost 2-1.

Squad

Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Vice Captain), Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana