Shanto Leads Bangladesh in ODI Clash Against Afghanistan as BCB Prepares for Captaincy Shake-Up

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah next week. 

This decision was made following a discussion between Shanto and BCB President Faruque Ahmed on Thursday evening after the Chattogram Test, where Shanto expressed his desire to step down as Bangladesh's all-format captain.

 

However, the BCB has yet to announce the squad for Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies in late November, where they will play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

Faruque mentioned on Thursday that Mehidy Hasan Miraz, named vice-captain for the Afghanistan series, and Taskin Ahmed are "front-runners" in the BCB's ongoing discussions about future captaincy. 

Both players are part of Bangladesh’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series. The only uncapped player in the squad is Nahid Rana, a promising 22-year-old fast bowler who has taken 26 wickets at an average of 16.46 in ten List-A matches and impressed with his pace and bounce in five Test appearances.

Selectors have also brought back opener Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed. Zakir, a left-handed batsman, has played one ODI and 12 Tests, while Nasum’s last ODI was during the World Cup in India last year. 

Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam, and Hasan Mahmud have not been included; Mahmud is sidelined due to a shoulder injury sustained during the ongoing National Cricket League.

Bangladesh will also be without Shakib Al Hasan, who, according to Faruque, voluntarily withdrew from consideration for this series. Litton Das will also miss the series due to a fever that kept him out of the Chattogram Test against South Africa.

The Bangladesh squad is set to depart for Dubai in two groups on Saturday and Sunday. The three ODIs will take place on November 6, 9, and 11 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh's ODI Squad:

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

Nahid Rana