Defender Bishwanath Ghosh has returned to the national team fold after a long layoff due to injury as Bangladesh revealed a 28-member preliminary squad for this month’s friendly against Vietnam and an AFC Asian Cup 2026 qualifying tie against Singapore.
Bishwanath last played for the Men in Red and Green in September 2024 during an international FIFA friendly against Bhutan. He missed the entire following season due to injury.
Head coach Javier Cabrera also recalled the fit-again Monjurur Rahman Manik and Isa Faysal.
The Spanish coach has excluded five players from the 23-member squad that played against India last November in Dhaka. Forward Rakib Hossain and centre-back Topu Barman were left out due to suspension, while England-based forward Cuba Mitchell and defender Taj Uddin were also excluded.
Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury was included in the preliminary list.
“Hamza is expected to join the squad at a later stage,” the Bangladesh Football Federation stated. He is likely to join the team in Vietnam on March 22.
23-year-old goalkeeper Ishaque Akondo, who plays for Brothers Union, is the only new inclusion in the 28-member squad.
Bangladesh will play away to Vietnam on March 26 as part of their preparations for the away game against Singapore on March 31.
Bangladesh preliminary squad
Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Ishaque Akondo; Defenders: Tariq Raihan Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Abdullah Omar, Shakil Hossain, Zayyan Ahmed, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Monjurur Rahman Manik, Isa Faysal; Midfielders: Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, Md Sohel Rana, Mohammad Ridoy, Shamit Shome; Forwards: Arman Foysal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mirajul Islam, Rafiqul Islam, Sumon Reza