Najmul Hossain Shanto named Bangladesh captain for Afghanistan ODI series

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Najmul Hossain Shanto to lead Bangladesh in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, following discussions about his all-format captaincy position. This appointment comes after Shanto's meeting with BCB president Faruque Ahmed.

While Shanto will captain the team for the Afghanistan series, the BCB is still evaluating long-term leadership options, including decisions about the upcoming West Indies tour in November, which includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

For the Afghanistan series, Mehidy Hasan Miraz will serve as vice-captain, positioning him as a potential future captain alongside Taskin Ahmed .

Both players bring valuable experience to the squad, with Taskin's fast bowling expertise and Miraz's all-round capabilities making them strong leadership candidates.

The squad features new talent, including uncapped fast bowler Nahid Rana , who has demonstrated impressive statistics in List A cricket with 26 wickets at an average of 16.46.

The team also welcomes back Zakir Hasan and Nasum Ahmed , strengthening the batting and spin departments respectively.

Several notable players will be absent from the series. Shakib Al Hasan has opted out voluntarily, while Litton Das remains unavailable due to illness from the recent Chattogram Test.

Additionally, Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam, and Hasan Mahmud (recovering from a shoulder injury) will not participate.

The team will travel to Dubai in separate groups over the weekend, preparing for their matches scheduled for November 6, 9, and 11 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh's ODI squad:

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