Jaker Ali Anik will continue as Bangladesh’s T20I captain in the absence of regular skipper Litton Kumer Das, who remains unavailable due to injury.
Litton picked up the problem during the Asia Cup earlier this month and has yet to regain full fitness.
National Team Physio Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed the update, saying: “Litton had missed the last two matches of the Asia Cup with a side strain. An MRI scan showed a grade 1 strain on the left abdominal muscle. He is currently under recovery and won’t be fit for the T20 series. Our medical team is overseeing his rehab and monitoring his progress closely.”
Meanwhile, left-handed batter Soumya Sarkar has been recalled to the T20 squad for the Afghanistan series. The 32-year-old is the only change from the group that represented Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.
The opener is currently featuring for Khulna in the NCL T20 competition. Now, he is set to join the national side in the UAE for the series.
Soumya has been in excellent form with the bat for Khulna in the NCL T20.
In the two matches he has played so far, he has showcased his striking ability. Against Rajshahi, he smashed 63 off 34 balls with six fours and four sixes, while against Dhaka Metro, he struck 45 off 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and three maximums.
SQUAD FOR T20I SERIES AGAINST AFGHANISTAN
Jaker Ali Anik (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar
