South Asian Games 2019: Soumya Sarkar, Nazmul Hossain included in Bangladesh squad

What's the story?

The Bangladesh Cricket Board have announced their U-23 squad which will take part in the upcoming South Asian Games 2019. Nazmul Hossain will lead the side which includes Bangladesh’s international stars Soumya Sarkar and Afif Hossain.

The background

The 13th edition of the South Asian Games will commence on 1st December in Nepal. The cricket event which features Sri Lanka U-23, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh U-23, will begin on 3rd December. This is the first time since 2010 that cricket will be a part of the South Asian Games.

The heart of the matter

Nazmul Hossain will lead the side

National selector Habibul Bashar announced the Bangladesh squad on Friday (29th November). There is a provision to include three players over the age of 23 in the squad as a result of which Soumya Sarkar made the cut.

“We picked Soumya as there is a provision that we can take three cricketers above 23 years of age. Most of the players are playing together in the Emerging squad and we planned to stick together with as it seems they are gelling as a team," said Bashar. (H/T Credit: Cricbuzz)

Skipper Nazmul Hossain, meanwhile, opened up about Bangladesh's goals heading into the competition.

“We are going with the aim to win the gold. As far as I know it’s pretty cold in Nepal so have to adapt to the conditions quickly.”

Bangladesh squad for the South Asian Games: Mohammed Saif Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Syed Minhajul Abedin Afridi, Sumon Khan, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Tanvir Islam, Manik Khan, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Soumya Sarkar, Mahadi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud

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— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) November 29, 2019

What’s next?

Bangladesh U-23 will begin their campaign against Maldives on 4th December.