Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, set to take place in Sharjah, UAE, this October.
With Liton Das sidelined due to injury, wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik will continue to lead the side. Liton missed the latter part of the Asia Cup with a side strain, and further scans confirmed a grade-1 abdominal muscle injury. According to team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan, the opener is still under rehabilitation and will not be fit in time for the series.
The only adjustment from the Asia Cup squad is the recall of experienced left-handed batter Soumya Sarkar. The 32-year-old, who last featured in a T20I against the West Indies in December 2022, makes his return as the sole addition to the lineup.
“Soumya Sarkar has been drafted into the T20 squad for the Afghanistan matches. He is the only change from the Asia Cup roster,” the BCB said in a media statement.
The three-match series is scheduled to begin on October 2, with the following games slated for October 3 and October 5, all in Sharjah.
Bangladesh are also expected to play a one-day international series against Afghanistan, though details of that fixture list are yet to be finalised.
Bangladesh T20I squad vs Afghanistan:
Jaker Ali Anik (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Md Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar.