First preliminary squad for Asia Cup announced

Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Shabbir Rahaman Roman, Shaif Uddin, Mustazifur Rahman, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Liton Kumer Das, Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Islam Apup, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque Showrab, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rubel Hossain, Ariful Haque, Aby Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Md. Zakir Hasan, Sunzamal Islam, Md. Mithun, Fazle Rabbi Mahmud

The uncapped players are Fazle Mahmud Rabbi, Zakir Hasan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Islam, Abu Hider Rony and Shaif Uddin.

Wicket-keeper batsman Liton Das was one of the notable names apart from Shakib, in the initial squad. The 31-year-old was out of the ODI squad since October last year.

Liton’s performance with the bat in the recently-concluded T20 series in West Indies forced the selectors to take a note of him.

Opening batsman Soumya Sarkar, who was axed after a dismal South Africa series, was also included.

The 31-member squad includes as many as 12 uncapped players, giving clear indications that Bangladesh will field a young side.

Despite Shakib Ali Hasan making it clear that he might not be available for the Asia Cup because of a finger surgery, he was included in the initial squad

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are all confirmed participants while the remaining spots are still up for grabs.

Group A consists of India, Pakistan and the qualifier while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Bangladesh were the firsts to name an initial squad for the prestigious tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board have announced an initial 31-man squad which will be timed to 15 ahead of the tournament.

The 2018 edition of Asia Cup will be played between 16 and 26 September at Dubai.

It will be an ODI affair as it precedes the ODI World Cup in 2019, will begin from September 15 in Dubai with Bangladesh locking horns with Sri Lanka.