DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday, announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, featuring two uncapped players Tanzid Hasan and Shamim Hossain.

Tanzid, who scored three half-centuries in the recently-concluded Emerging Men’s Asia Cup got the reward of his consistent performances as he was picked in the contingent as a cover for injured opener Tamim Iqbal.

Meanwhile, Shamim, who has been a regular part of Bangladesh’s side in T20Is since making his debut in July 2021 was also picked to showcase his skills in the longer format.

All-rounder Mahedi Hasan made his way back into the Bangladesh squad, having been out of the ODI set-up since March 2021.

On the contrary, veteran batter Mahmudullah, alongside Taijul Islam and Rony Talukdar, who were part of Bangladesh’s ODI series against Afghanistan last month, remained out of contention.

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will lead the Bangladesh squad in the upcoming Asia Cup and this year’s ICC Men’s World Cup in India after he was given the leadership role on Friday.

Shakib’s appointment came after Tamim Iqbal announced to step down as Bangladesh’s ODI captain after he was ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup due to his recurring back injury, unlikely to heal in time.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan made the announcement in a surprise media briefing at his residence in Dhaka.

“Shakib Al Hasan is the captain for the Asia Cup, New Zealand series and World Cup,” he said.

“We will speak more to him when he returns to Bangladesh [from Lanka Premier League]. We have to know his long-term plan.

“I spoke to him on the phone yesterday. But it is better if we talk to him in person since he is busy with a franchise league currently. We will also talk about which format he will keep leading, whether it is all three formats or one or two of them.

“There was never any confusion. I told you before. He is the obvious choice. Who else can lead? But we had to talk to him before appointing him. Nobody should think anything else. Shakib is the captain. He was always the main choice.”

The two-time finalists Bangladesh will start their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on August 31, taking on defending champions Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mamhud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim

Standby: Taijul Islam, Saif Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

READ: Ramiz, Wasim, Waqar named in Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel