No Mahmudullah in Bangladesh's Asia Cup Squad

Mahmudullah Riyad, an experienced player, was left off the roster, while Tanzid Hasan Tamim received his maiden call-up to the national side as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled a 17-person squad for the 2017 Asia Cup later this month.

Shakib Al Hasan's selection as the ODI captain by the BCB president yesterday put an end to days of rumors, leaving only one pressing question regarding the team for the Asia Cup and the World Cup later this year: would veteran campaigner Mahmudullah return to the national team.

Mahmudullah, who was benched after the ODIs against England at home in March due to subpar performances, was ultimately unable to join the team, despite the fact that many believed his expertise might have helped the team in such a significant tournament. 

Tanzid Hasan Tamim will hope for the start of a successful international career, but 37-year-old Mahmudullah, who has already retired from Tests and T20Is, may be left wondering if he has already played his last game in Bangladesh colors.

Tanzid Tamim, a left-handed opener, has been called into the team for the first time after his strong performance for Bangladesh A in the recently concluded Emerging Asia Cup. Tanzid Tamim joins Liton Das and Mohammad Naim as the other two openers in the team as the Tigers look to replace veteran opener Tamim Iqbal, who withdrew from the competition due to injury concerns. 

Shamim Hossain, who has yet to play in an ODI, was selected in the meanwhile. In addition, spinner Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan, who last appeared for Bangladesh in an ODI in 2021, are back in the lineup. During the Ireland series at home in March of this year, Nasum last participated in an ODI. 

The faces in the pace department stay the same for the Tigers with Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Hasan Mahmud all included in the squad.

Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Sheikh Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim Sheikh.