The highly anticipated T20 series between India and Bangladesh is set to commence on October 6, marking an exciting chapter in the cricketing calendar. After India announced its team on Saturday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board swiftly followed suit, revealing their squad just a day later. Notably, the T20 team will be captained by Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who has proven his mettle by leading Bangladesh to the Super-8 stage in the T20 World Cup.
In a significant shake-up, the Bangladeshi squad will see the inclusion of spin all-rounder Mehdi Hasan Miraj, stepping into the shoes of the illustrious Shakib Al Hasan, who has recently retired from T20 cricket. Miraj’s return to the T20 fold comes after a lengthy absence, having not played in this format for a year. His previous year was focused on contributing to the Test and ODI teams, where he has excelled.
Background on the Bangladesh T20 Squad
The Bangladeshi team is currently present in India, participating in a Test series against the home side. The second Test match in Kanpur faced disruptions due to rain and a wet field, creating a compelling atmosphere for the upcoming T20 matches. The T20 series will span from October 6 to October 12, featuring some players who are also part of the Test squad, including captain Shanto and wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das.
Shoriful Islam, a left-arm fast bowler who missed the Test series due to injury, has regained fitness and is expected to bolster the bowling lineup for the T20 series. The anticipation is building as fans eagerly await high-octane clashes between the two cricketing nations.
Mehdi Hasan Miraj: A Crucial Addition
Mehdi Hasan Mirajโs promotion to the team comes at a critical time for Bangladesh. The all-rounder played a pivotal role in the ODI series victory against India in December 2022 and recently helped his team triumph in the Test series against Pakistan. His exclusion from the T20 World Cup last year raised eyebrows, especially given his exceptional form in other formats.
Earlier this week, Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from T20 cricket, leaving a gap that the selectors aim to fill with Miraj. The PCB chief selector highlighted that Miraj’s contributions were prioritized in the longer formats, which inadvertently left him sidelined in T20s. However, with Shakib’s exit, the team will look to Mirajโs experience and skills, especially as he may take on a top-order batting role.
Unfortunately, Soumya Sarkar, who featured in the T20 World Cup, has been dropped from the squad due to underwhelming performances. However, the team welcomes back Parvez Hossain Emon and Rakibul Hasan, stimulating excitement among fans for what they can bring to the team dynamic.
Bangladesh T20 Squad Overview
The officially announced T20 squad for Bangladesh is as follows:
Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Liton Das, Mehidi Hasan Miraj, Taskin Ahmed, Tanjeed Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tauheed Hridoy, Zaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzeem Hasan Saqib, Rakibul Hasan, and Mehmudullah.
Upcoming T20 Series Schedule
The T20 series is poised to thrill fans with the following matches scheduled:
6 October – First T20, Gwalior
9 October – 2nd T20, New Delhi
12 October – 3rd T20, Hyderabad
