Liton Das returns as captain, Bangladesh gears up for UAE tri‑series

Bangladesh’s cricket board has announced its 16‑man squad for the UAE tri‑series, and the side’s composition is already sparking chatter. New‑face Aliss Al Islam, a mystery spinner who has taken 35 wickets in 19 List A matches, gets his maiden ODI call‑up after a stellar domestic run.

The cap that has everyone talking is the return of Liton Das, who missed the Zimbabwe series in July after a calf injury. He’s back to lead the side, while vice‑captain Tawhid Hridoy takes the second spot. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the seasoned all‑rounder, stays on to focus on his bowling and batting without the added pressure of captaincy.

Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud is back in the squad, a boost for the pace attack after a long spell out. Express pacer Nahid Rana remains sidelined with a side strain, his recovery still in progress. Mahmud’s return comes at a time when Bangladesh wants a sharp trio up front.

The tournament will kick off on 17 October in Abu Dhabi, with Bangladesh opening against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan is set to face them on 21 October, while the top two teams will move on to the final on 23 October. The schedule gives the team a chance to see how the mix of veterans and new talent can hold up under pressure.

All eyes are on how this squad will perform, as the board hopes the tri‑series will provide a realistic gauge of Bangladesh’s readiness for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The next challenge? Bangladesh’s first match on 17 October against Zimbabwe, a game that could set the tone for the rest of the series.