Bangladesh Saturday morning announced the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, and there was no place for the veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah, while young batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim earned his maiden call-up.
Mahmudullah has once again been overlooked and with only the home One Day International series against New Zealand in September left before the all-important World Cup in India in October-November, one wonders whether this is the end of the road for the experienced campaigner in Bangladesh colors.
Already retired from Tests and Twenty20 internationals, Mahmudullah played the last of his 218 ODIs at home against England in March this year.
Since then he has been "rested" for three ODIs each against Ireland at home, against the same opposition in Chelmsford and during Afghanistan's tour of Bangladesh.
In the absence of opening batsman Tamim Iqbal who is recovering from lower back injury, Tanzid meanwhile, made his way into the squad after impressing the national selectors with his performance at the Emerging Asia Cup where he struck three fifties in four matches.
All-rounder Mahedi Hasan, who last turned out in an ODI for the Tigers more than two years ago, scripted a return to the squad along with tall left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and the uncapped Shamim Hossain.
Reappointed ODI captain Shakib al Hasan will lead the Tigers, pitted in Group B along with co-hosts Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Bangladesh will begin their campaign against the Lankans in Kandy on August 31.
The men in red and green will play their second game against the Afghans on September 3 in Lahore.
Group A comprises co-hosts Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Squad
Shakib al Hasan (C), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim
