Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed to lead Bangladesh in BAN vs AFG 2024 ODI series

Bangladesh v Netherlands - ICC Men — Najmul Hossain Shanto. (Credits: Getty)

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the squad for the three-game ODI series against Afghanistan, beginning on November 6. Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as the captain for the 50-over games despite recently expressing his wish to step down.

Following the crushing 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa on home soil, the 26-year-old remained tight-lipped regarding captaincy. However, BCB President Faruque Ahmed has reportedly convinced him to stay on as captain for the 50-over leg despite his earlier reluctance. Mehidy Hasan Miraz will likely captain the Test side, while Taskin Ahmed or Towhid Hridoy will lead Bangladesh in T20Is.

Pacer Nahid Rana, who has only played Tests, has been included, while Litton Das misses out as he recovers from his illness. Tanzim Ahmed also did not make the cut due to a shoulder injury.

Bangladesh ODI squad: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Vice Captain), Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Faruque Ahmed explains Shakib Al Hasan's absence from Bangladesh's squad

BCB President Faruque Ahmed, who had earlier mentioned that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was unavailable for the 50-over games, suggested that he is not match-ready. He spoke to the reporters in Chattogram, as quoted by Cricbuzz:

"When he (Shakib) could not play the last Test (against South Africa), he was disappointed from his side. What I feel is that when he could not play he was disappointed and did not practice. He is a very professional player and felt that because he is not into training it will not be wise for him as well as for the country to play this series (against Afghanistan)."

Afghanistan are coming off a historic ODI series win over South Africa. All three BAN vs AFG ODIs will take place in Sharjah.