The Bangladesh cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. The selection has stirred controversy as it has excluded key players like Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain defended Das’s omission citing his poor form and inability to capitalize during powerplays. Meanwhile, Shakib AL Hasan was omitted after a failed assessment of his bowling action, possibly ending his ODI career.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 draws closer, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has made a bold statement his team isn’t just participating; they are aiming for the title. The tournament, set to be played in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19, will feature the world’s top eight teams. Bangladesh, placed in Group A, will face India (IND), New Zealand (NZ), and Pakistan (PAK) in the group stage, with a shot at making history.
Bangladesh’s squad analysis : Strengths and Weaknesses
Bangladesh’s ODI show since the 2023 World Cup hasn’t been the most impressive, having won just four out of 12 matches. Soumya Sarkar has been a standout performer with the bat. The bowling attack is spearheaded by Taskin Ahmed, who leads a rejuvenated pace unit with young guns like Nahid Rana and Tanzim Hasan alongside established names like Mustafizur Rahman.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament has been the absence of former captain Shakib Al Hasan from the squad. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto remains confident in the 15-man squad selected for the tournament.
The absence of Shakib has raised concerns over Bangladesh’s spin department. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s form has drastically declined, while Rishad Hossain is untested at this level. The top order also faces challenges with Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar struggling for consistency. However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has proved to be a reliable option at No. 3 in the batting lineup.
The middle order of Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy squad also features the return of Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy, but their recent forms have been hit-or-miss. Mahmudullah’s performances offer some hope, but the batting line-up’s ability to tackle short-pitched bowling continues to be a major concern. Despite these issues, Bangladesh has a solid pace attack and experienced middle order for the upcoming tournament.
Bangladesh Previous performances in ICC tournaments
Despite winning just one bilateral series since the 2023 World Cup, Shanto is confident that Bangladesh will be at their best and come out firing in what will be the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy.
Earlier in the 2023 World Cup in India, Bangladesh failed to go through to the knockout stage but secured a place in the Champions Trophy 2025 as they finished 7th in the league stage with only two wins out of the nine games. In Champions Trophy, they have featured five times in the competition in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2017.
2017 was the only time, which also happens to be the last edition of Champions Trophy, when Bangladesh surprised everyone and got through to play in the Semi-final. Hence, Shanto and his men will be hoping to match the last edition’s performance and go one step further to lift their maiden ICC title.
Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy Squad:
Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
Group Stage Fixtures:
20 February – Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
24 February – Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
27 February – Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
Prediction and Road Ahead for Bangladesh in Champions Trophy 2025
Bangladesh have been the perennial underdogs in International cricket, but somehow seem to always compete hard at the upper echelons of the sport. The team have been on a patchy record of late. In their recent tour of the West Indies, they drew the Test series 1-1, then were whitewashed in the three ODI contests, but came back to win the T20I series 3-0.
However, despite this recent volatile form, Nazmul Hossain Shanto will be leading the side with proven pedigree in the ICC Champions Trophy with a run to the semi-finals in the previous edition, in 2017.
This run included a memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand as they made their way to the semi-finals of the tournament with centuries from Shakib Al-Hasan and Mahmudullah in Cardiff successfully chasing down a target of 266.
Nazmul’s campaign will be assisted by senior players like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim and the Bangladesh skipper is confident his team can perform well.
Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy campaign begins on February 20 against IND in Dubai, followed by matches against NZ (February 24, Rawalpindi) and PAK (February 27, Rawalpindi). With a tough group stage ahead, Bangladesh will need standout performances from both young stars and experienced players to reach the semi-finals.
Bangladesh has long been known as a team that can punch above its weight, and under Shanto’s leadership, they are looking to defy expectations. With a blend of youth, experience, and growing confidence, Bangladesh is determined to prove the doubters wrong and make a deep run in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.