Bangladesh have named wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and batting all-rounder Saif Hassan in a 16-man squad for next month’s Asia Cup, while leaving out Mehidy Hasan Miraz and opener Mohammad Naim.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin confirmed on Friday that the same group will also contest a three-match T20I series against the Netherlands, starting 30 August in Dhaka. “We felt Nurul’s experience behind the stumps and Saif’s flexibility in the middle order give us better balance,” he said.
Key decisions first
• 16-man squad unchanged for Netherlands T20Is and Asia Cup.
• Mehidy, who captains the ODI side, placed on standby alongside Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud.
• Nurul returns to international cricket for the first time since the 2022 T20 World Cup; Saif played his last T20I in early 2024.
• Naim left out after scores of 32*, 3 and 10 against Pakistan last month.
Why Mehidy misses out
The off-spinning all-rounder was granted leave for personal reasons during the Netherlands series, yet the panel feel his recent T20 returns – 34 runs and one wicket in three games – do not justify a spot. He sits among four travelling reserves and remains “very much in our plans”, according to coach Chandika Hathurusingha. The message seems clear: focus on white-ball captaincy and iron out the death-over economy.
Nurul’s route back
The 31-year-old remodelled his T20 game last domestic season, scoring 513 runs at 132.90 across the BPL, National Cricket League and newly launched Global Super League. Rangpur Riders won that tournament, and Nurul’s crisp glovework drew praise from franchise coach Tom Moody, who called him “one of the smartest keepers going around”. His improved strike rotation and late-innings hitting convinced selectors to provide a second keeping option to captain Litton Das.
Saif’s steady rise
Saif Hassan, often labelled a red-ball specialist, has quietly added range against pace. In the ongoing Top End T20s in Darwin, he hit 55 off 34 against the Pakistan Shaheens and 45 against the Melbourne Stars Academy, both on slow, gripping surfaces. Those who have tracked his progress note a willingness to sweep spinners early – a shot that could be useful on the UAE pitches expected for the Asia Cup.
Form the backdrop, ditch the hype
Naim’s exclusion feels harsh, yet numbers tell a straightforward tale. Despite a fluent unbeaten 32 in the first T20I versus Pakistan, his next two knocks lasted 14 balls combined. Add a lean stint with Bangladesh A in Darwin and the selectors’ patience has thinned.
Standby list
Soumya Sarkar’s utility as a medium-pace option and Tanvir Islam’s left-arm spin were considered, but both remain on call rather than in the XI. Hasan Mahmud, the brisk right-armer, also stays on standby as he completes a return from a minor ankle niggle.
Fixture watch
Bangladesh host the Netherlands on 30 August, 1 and 3 September before flying to Abu Dhabi. Their Asia Cup opener is on 11 September against Hong Kong, followed by tougher assignments versus India and Sri Lanka in the group phase.
Squad in full
Litton Das (capt, wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin.
Standby: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
In: Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan.
Out: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim.
Small margins, big calls. The selectors hope the tweaks remedy the late-innings wobble that hurt Bangladesh against Pakistan. Whether Nurul and Saif seize their second chance will shape the campaign ahead.
