Nurul Hasan and Saif Hassan Recalled for Asia Cup; Mehidy and Naim Miss Out

Nurul Hasan and Saif Hassan Recalled for Asia Cup; Mehidy and Naim Miss Out

The Bangladesh selectors have recalled wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and allrounder Saif Hassan to the senior men's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in September. Both players are also set to feature in the three-match T20I series against the Netherlands, beginning on August 30.

There is no place, however, for Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim, both of whom featured in Bangladesh’s recent 2-1 T20I series win over Pakistan. Mehidy, who recently returned to the T20I side following a brief absence, failed to make a significant impact and has been named among the standby players alongside Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud.

Underwhelming Performances Lead to Changes

Naim, despite decent form in domestic cricket, struggled at the international level. His scores of 32*, 3, and 10 against Pakistan were underwhelming, and he also failed to impress in the Top End T20s in Darwin, Australia, where he represented the Bangladesh A side.

Similarly, Mehidy's lack of influence in recent T20Is, coupled with personal reasons that would have kept him out of the Netherlands series, has led to his omission. Though he continues to serve as the ODI captain, his role in the T20I setup remains uncertain for now.

Nurul’s Comeback

Nurul Hasan, who last featured in a T20I during the 2022 World Cup, has earned his recall after a strong 2024–25 domestic season. He scored 513 runs at a strike rate of 132.90 across the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), National Cricket League (NCL), and the Global Super League (GSL). Notably, Nurul also led Rangpur Riders to victory in the inaugural GSL in 2024.

Saif Showing Promise

Allrounder Saif Hassan has also impressed in the ongoing Top End T20s, scoring a half-century against Pakistan Shaheens and a 45 against the Melbourne Stars Academy. His inclusion provides additional balance and depth to the squad.

Fixtures and Squad

Bangladesh will play the Netherlands in three T20Is on August 30, September 1, and September 3. Their Asia Cup campaign begins on September 11 against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup and Netherlands T20Is:

  • Litton Das (captain, wk)

  • Tanzid Hasan

  • Parvez Hossain Emon

  • Saif Hassan

  • Towhid Hridoy

  • Jaker Ali

  • Shamim Hossain

  • Nurul Hasan

  • Mahedi Hasan

  • Rishad Hossain

  • Nasum Ahmed

  • Mustafizur Rahman

  • Tanzim Hasan

  • Taskin Ahmed

  • Shoriful Islam

  • Mohammad Saifuddin

IN: Nurul Hasan, Saif Hassan
OUT: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim