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, in response to Shanto's request to step down as captain across all formats. The decision came after a discussion between Shanto and BCB president Faruque Ahmed on Thursday after Bangladesh's recent Test in Chattogram. While Shanto will lead the side against Afghanistan, the BCB is yet to announce a long-term decision on his captaincy or the side for the West Indies tour later in November, where Bangladesh will play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
As Shanto's vice-captain for the Afghanistan series, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is seen as a leading candidate for the future captaincy, with Taskin Ahmed also seen as a strong option. Both players are in the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series and have shown leadership potential. Taskin has been a mainstay in Bangladesh's bowling attack with his pace and experience, while Miraz's all-round abilities make him a versatile asset.
22-year-old uncapped pacer Nahid Rana will make his debut in the ODI format. Known for his impressive pace and resilience, Rana has taken 26 wickets in List A cricket at an average of 16.46, adding new talent to the squad. Opener Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed also return to the team. Zakir, who has played a single ODI and 12 Tests, will add depth to the top order while Nasum brings spin options, having last represented Bangladesh at the 2022 World Cup.
However, the team will miss a number of important names. Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh's star players, has voluntarily withdrawn from participating in this series. Litton Das, sidelined by a fever that kept him out of the recent Chattogram Test, is also unavailable. Anamul Haque, Taijul Islam and Hasan Mahmud, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, will also be left out of the team.
The Bangladesh team will leave for Dubai in two groups this weekend, with matches scheduled for November 6, 9 and 11 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh ODI team
Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
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