Bangladesh announce squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Bangladesh has announced its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with prominent players Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan left out.  

Litton's exclusion comes after a prolonged dip in form, with the wicketkeeper-batter failing to score a half-century in his last 13 ODI innings. Six of those innings ended in single-digit scores, making his axing a significant yet expected decision.  

Shakib, a veteran all-rounder, also missed out following his suspension from bowling in top-level cricket due to an illegal action. Despite undergoing two assessments, he failed to rectify the issue, which likely signals the end of his illustrious ODI career.  

Additionally, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud were not selected for the tournament.  

On the positive side, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who missed the West Indies tour last November due to a hamstring injury, returns to captain the squad. Other key players making a comeback include Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, and Mustafizur Rahman.  

The ICC Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9, with Bangladesh drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, India, and New Zealand.

Bangladesh squad:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Nahid Rana.