The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming One-Day International tri-series featuring Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates. The selection panel provided a major surprise by handing a maiden ODI call-up to unheralded mystery spinner Alis Al Islam.
Litton Das will lead the national side during the tournament, with middle-order batsman Towhid Hridoy appointed as his vice-captain. The squad reflects a mix of proven international experience and emerging talent as Bangladesh aim to fine-tune their limited-overs combinations on neutral soil.
Alis first caught the attention of national selectors during an impressive showing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which initially earned him a place in the Twenty20 International squad against Sri Lanka in early 2024. However, a frustrating injury ruled him out prior to making his international debut. Since recovering, the mystery spinner has worked his way back into contention through consistent performances for Bangladesh ‘A’, notably during the recent unofficial ODI series against South Africa ‘A’. Although previously named in the squad for the Asian Games, Alis has yet to earn his first cap for the senior national team.
The upcoming tri-series promises a rigorous test for the squad in Middle Eastern conditions. Bangladesh will open their campaign against Zimbabwe on 17 October at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The action will then move to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where the team face Afghanistan on 21 October. The top two sides will return to Sharjah for the final on 23 October.
To complement Alis’s finger-spin capabilities, the selectors have assembled a well-rounded bowling attack. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and left-arm orthodox spinner Tanvir Islam join all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz to complete the spin department. The fast-bowling unit boasts considerable firepower, led by veteran paceman Taskin Ahmed alongside Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, and Mohammad Saifuddin.
The batting order features several seasoned names alongside the captain, including Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat. Wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan Sohan and opening batsman Tanjid Hasan have also secured places in the traveling contingent.
Bangladesh ODI Squad:
Litton Das (Captain), Towhid Hridoy (Vice-Captain), Tanjid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Alis Al Islam.
