Bangladesh announce squad for upcoming UAE, Pakistan tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I tours of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan.

Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been named the T20I captain for both tours, taking over officially after Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped down from the role earlier this year. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan has been appointed as the vice-captain.

Litton Das, 30, has previous leadership experience, having captained Bangladesh in one Test, seven One Day Internationals (ODIs), and four T20 Internationals. He also led the side during a T20I series against the West Indies in December last year when Shanto was unavailable due to injury.

Das was recently part of the Karachi Kings squad in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but had to withdraw due to a finger injury sustained during training.

Five players have made a return to the T20I squad — Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam.

Bangladesh will first play two T20Is against the UAE in Sharjah on May 17 and 19. They will then travel to Pakistan for a five-match T20I series scheduled from May 25 to June 3.

Bangladesh squad for T20Is in UAE and Pakistan:

Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam.