Naim included in Asia Cup squad

Opening batsman Naim Sheikh on Monday (August 22) was included in the Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup, set to be held on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 23-year-old left-hander has been capped 34 times for Bangladesh in T20 internationals. Naim, who was part of the Bangladesh ‘A’ team during the recent Tour of the West Indies, will join the team in Dubai on Tuesday (August 23).

Naim hit a century against the West Indies ‘A’ team recently which helped him to secure spot in the squad for Asia Cup. After hitting duck in the first match, he scored 103 runs off 116 balls in the second match. He reached three digits with 14 boundaries and an over-boundary. in the last and final match, he bagged just 3 runs.

Naim was dropped from the team after the series against Afghanistan last March. In the beginning, there was a glimmer of hope in batting, but gradually he got stuck in the circle of failure. The strike rate as a T20 opener was not satisfactory. He scored 809 runs at an average of 24 in 34 T20Is. His strike rate is 103.71.

Meanwhile, pace bowler Hasan Mahmud and wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan, who were originally selected in the squad, will both miss the Asia Cup due to injury. Hasan Mahmud suffered ligament damage to his right ankle during training on August 20 and is sidelined for at least three weeks.

Sohan underwent a surgery on his left index finger in Singapore two weeks ago and needs more time to recover. The Bangladesh team will depart from Dhaka for Dubai Tuesday. 

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup

Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Sabbir Rahaman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh.