‘Balanced squad, could be a dark horse’ – Fans react as Bangladesh announce Asia Cup 2023 squad; Shakib Al Hasan to lead
Shakib, who has been Bangladesh's Test and T20 captain since early last year, has now become their captain in all formats of the game.
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Aug 12, 2023 12:16 pm
Shakib Al Hasan (Source: Twitter)
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday, August 12, announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming major multi-national tournament – Asia Cup 2023. Led by veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, the team looks balanced with the presence of experienced players and young talent. Young players Tansid Hasan Tamim and Shamim Hossain Patwari, who were part of the Bangladesh U-19 team that won the World Cup in 2020 after defeating India in the final, have been included in the squad.
While Shamim has represented his nation in 17 T20s, Tamim will be making his international debut on the big stage. Both left-handers averages around 28 in their List-A careers. Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar and former captain Mahmudullah Riyad have been left out of the squad, which now makes their presence in the 2023 ODI World Cup almost impossible.
He is the obvious choice: BCB president on Shakib’s appointment
While BCB president Nazmul Hassan announced their new captain on Friday, he also confirmed that the board will release their squad for the continental tournament. Shakib, who has been Bangladesh’s Test and T20 captain since early last year, has now become their captain in all formats of the game. His appointment comes after regular 50-over captain Tamim Iqbalstepped down recently and pulled out of the Asia Cup due to injury.
“We have appointed Shakib as the captain for the Asia Cup and World Cup. The World Cup and Asia Cup squads will be announced tomorrow. The selectors will pick a squad of 17 members,” Hassan said on Friday.
“There was never any confusion. I told you before. He is the obvious choice. Who else can lead? But we had to talk to him before appointing him. Nobody should think anything else. Shakib is the captain. He was always the main choice,” the BCB chief added.
Bangladesh Squad for 2023 Asia Cup: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mamhud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim
Here’s how fans reacted to Bangladesh’s Aisa Cup 2023 squad:
