Shanto, Mahmud back for Asian Games

Bangladesh have recalled Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hasan Mahmud to their T20I squad for the Asian Games in September, with Litton Das returning as captain after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Litton missed Bangladesh’s recent series against Zimbabwe and Australia but resumes the leadership role, while Shanto returns to the format after more than a year.

Nurul Hasan and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain have been dropped, while fast bowler Nahid Rana is sidelined as he recovers from a side strain.

Shanto last played a T20I against the United Arab Emirates in May last year, having gone 19 innings without a half-century before losing the captaincy to Litton.

The 27-year-old has since enjoyed a notable run in longer formats, leading Bangladesh to a historic first Test victory in Australia and scoring a half-century in Darwin. He also made 355 runs in last year’s Bangladesh Premier League, including a century and a fifty.

Mahmud, meanwhile, last featured in a T20I during Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan last year, taking three wickets in as many matches while conceding at an economy rate of 11.30.

The paceman impressed in the BPL with 10 wickets at an average of 24.67 and was named Player of the Match in Bangladesh’s historic Test win in Australia.

Bangladesh will begin their Asian Games campaign in the quarter-finals on September 28 against the winner of Group B. All cricket matches will be played at Korogi Sports Park.

Bangladesh won the bronze medal at the previous Asian Games in 2023.

Squad: Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud.