Veteran batter Mahmudullah has been named in Bangladesh’s squad for the upcoming 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the USA. While Shakib Al Hasan has also been included, Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the team in the showpiece event. Mahmudullah, who wasn’t picked for the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup, returned to Bangladesh’s T20I side earlier this year. The 38-year-old put up some decent performances and eventually won the tournament.
Shakib is the team’s best all-round player at the moment. Multiple departmental delivery is also a strength of Tanzim Sakib (pace), Mahedi Hasan (spin), and Rishad Hossain (spin). Soumya Sarkar and Litton Das, among others, will open the innings. Shanto, the captain, Shakib, and Mahmudullah will follow in order. Towhid Hridoy could be the bench warmer during the first few games. The team’s designated finisher in the interim is Jaker Ali. In addition to his leg-spin deliveries, all-round player Rishad can cause a lot of damage in the final overs.
Taskin and Mustafizur Rahman are the team’s primary pacers. Interestingly, a side injury will keep the latter out of the forthcoming T20I series against the USA. The Bangladeshi selectors are optimistic that Taskin will recover in time for the highlight match, but if the seasoned pacer is sidelined, Hasan Mahmud is probably going to make the squad. As far as pace-bowling goes, Bangladesh has Tanzim and Shoriful Islam in addition to Mustafizur and Taskin.
Following Mahmudullah’s Inclusion, the 15 Members of Bangladesh will Appear
Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Tanzim Hasan Tamim, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Sakib
The team’s main talking point right now is probably Mahmudullah’s return. This year, the 38-year-old returned to the T20I team during the home series against Sri Lanka in March after missing out since September 2022. However, there was a sense of uncertainty regarding his selection, given the unpredictable nature of Bangladesh’s selection committee with respect to senior players.