The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad that will represent their country in the upcoming ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka next month. The squad features a mix of young talent and experienced players, aiming to showcase the emerging potential of Bangladesh cricket.
Impressively, eight players from Bangladesh’s triumphant Under-19 World Cup winning team in 2020 have secured their spots in the emerging team. These young talents have already proven their skills on the international stage and will look to make a significant impact in the tournament. Alongside them, seasoned players like Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Parvez Hossain Emon and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury have also been included in the squad to provide guidance and stability.
Sarkar’s inclusion in the squad comes as a result of the Bangladesh team management’s request to give him an opportunity to regain his form. Soumya, who had a promising start to his international career under the guidance of current coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, has faced a decline in performance lately. In fact, his club side, Mohammedan Sporting Club, even dropped him during last season’s Dhaka Premier League. The ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup could serve as a platform for him to revive his career.
The 24-year-old Saif Hassan has been appointed as the captain of the squad. Known for his right-handed batting style, Hassan has represented Bangladesh in six Test matches and two T20Is. He boasts impressive numbers in List A cricket, scoring 3812 runs in 105 matches at an average of 38.89. Hassan’s leadership skills and experience will be crucial in guiding the team throughout the tournament.
Bangladesh have been placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Afghanistan A, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The team’s first match is scheduled against host nation Sri Lanka on July 14. Subsequently, they will face Oman on July 16 and Afghanistan on July 18 in their group stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will take place on July 21. The highly anticipated final is set to be held on July 23, where the two best teams will compete for the prestigious title.
Bangladesh A Squad:
Saif Hassan (c), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Tanzim Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Musfik Hasan, Akbar Ali, Mohammad Naim.
