No Shakib Al Hasan in Bangladesh squad for Afghanistan ODIs, Shanto stays captain

AFG vs BAN: Bangladesh named a strong squad for their upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan to be held in November in Sharjah. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan isn't a part of the squad.

In Short

• Shakib Al Hasan hasn’t played international cricket since the India tour
• Najmul Shanto has stayed the skipper for the ODI series
• The ODI series starts on November 6 in Sharjah

Shakib Al Hasan isn’t a part of the Bangladesh squad for their upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. The 37-year-old all-rounder hasn’t played international cricket since the Test series against India, also missing his ‘farewell Test’ against South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Earlier, Faruque Ahmed, the BCB chief, had said that Shakib would be unlikely to feature in the series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "After Shakib couldn't come to play his (farewell) Test, he wasn't doing much practice. I think he needs some time to regroup,” Faruque said in a press conference.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, in the meantime, has stayed as the captain for the series. During the Test series against South Africa that Bangladesh lost 2-0 at home, Shanto had showed his reluctance to lead the Tigers and informed the BCB about the same.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is Shanto’s deputy for the series against the Afghans. Earlier, the BCB chief had said that Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy are the "front-runners" to take charge as captain in Shanto steps down in the near future.

Left-handed batter Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed have earned recalls to Bangladesh’s ODI team. Zakir has played just a solitary ODI while Nasum last represented the Tigers in the ODI World Cup last year. Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das also missed out due to fever after he was also unable to play in the second Test against the Proteas.

The three ODIs between Afghanistan and Bangladesh are scheduled to take place on November 6, 9 and 11 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh squad for Afghanistan ODIs

Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana