Bangladesh recall Nurul, Saif; drop Mehidy in Asia Cup 2025 squad reshuffle
Bangladesh names fresh-look squad for Asia Cup 2025
Bangladesh have shuffled their pack for the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE, recalling wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and top-order all-rounder Saif Hassan while leaving out ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and opener Mohammad Naim. Litton Das will continue to lead a 16-member group that will also contest a three-match home series against the Netherlands from 30 August, before the Asia Cup.
Major ins and outs
Nurul returns after nearly three years out of the T20I side, rewarded for an outstanding 2024-25 domestic season. Saif also earns a comeback following strong scores on the recent ‘Top End’ tour of Australia. Mehidy slips to the standby list after a quiet comeback against Pakistan, and Naim pays the price for poor returns at both international and ‘A’ level.
What earned the recalls
Nurul’s domestic perdormance
The 31-year-old batter scored 513 runs at a strike-rate of 133 across the Bangladesh Premier League, National Cricket League and Global Super League last season, also captaining Rangpur Riders to the inaugural GSL title.
Saif’s all-round value
Saif notched a fifty against Pakistan Shaheens and 45 versus Melbourne Stars Academy in Darwin, underlining his ability to float in the order and provide medium-pace overs.
Complete 16-player squad
Player | Role |
|---|---|
Litton Das (capt, wk) | Top-order |
Tanzid Hasan | Opener |
Parvez Hossain Emon | Opener |
Saif Hassan | Batter-all-rounder |
Towhid Hridoy | Middle order |
Jaker Ali | Batter |
Shamim Hossain | Middle order |
Nurul Hasan | Wicketkeeper-batter |
Mahedi Hasan | Spin all-rounder |
Rishad Hossain | Leg-spinner |
Nasum Ahmed | Left-arm spinner |
Mustafizur Rahman | Left-arm pace |
Tanzim Hasan Sakib | Seamer |
Taskin Ahmed | Seamer |
Shoriful Islam | Left-arm pace |
Mohammad Saifuddin | Pace all-rounder |
Stand-by: Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
Road to the Asia Cup
The Netherlands T20Is on 30 Aug, 1 and 3 Sep in Sylhet will serve as Bangladesh’s last preparation chances before the tournament. In the Asia Cup, Bangladesh is pooled with Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka and will campaign with an opening match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on 11 September.
Selection outlook
Bangladesh have reached three Asia Cup finals without lifting the trophy. The selectors hope Nurul’s finishing skills, Saif’s flexibility, and a settled pace attack led by Mustafizur and Taskin will push the Tigers one step further this time.