Bangladesh Announce 15-Member T20I Squad for Asian Games 2026 as Litton Das Returns to Captaincy
The Bangladesh selection board has announced a 15-member T20I squad for the Asian Games 2026, confirming the return of wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das to the captaincy role following his recovery from injury. The squad also marks the T20I comebacks of batter Najmul Hossain Shanto and fast bowler Hasan Mahmud after long spells away from the shortest format of international cricket.
What Happened
On September 2, 2026, Bangladesh selectors finalised the 15-player traveling party for the Asian Games cricket competition. Regular T20I skipper Litton Das takes charge once again after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of recent bilateral fixtures against Zimbabwe and Australia.
Among the major inclusions are Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hasan Mahmud, both recalled following strong showings in domestic and red-ball cricket. Shanto had not featured in a T20I since playing against the United Arab Emirates in May 2025. That previous period saw him go 19 consecutive T20I innings without scoring a half-century and step down from the T20I captaincy. His recall follows key achievements elsewhere, notably leading Bangladesh as captain to their first-ever Test victory in Australia, where he registered a half-century in Darwin, as well as scoring 355 runs in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a century and a half-century.
Hasan Mahmud similarly returns to the format after last playing during the 2025 tour of Pakistan, where he took three wickets across three matches with an economy rate of 11.30. His selection comes after earning the Player of the Match award during Bangladesh’s historic Test win in Australia and collecting 10 wickets at an average of 24.67 in the BPL.
On the selection sidelines, Nurul Hasan and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain were omitted from the team, while fast bowler Nahid Rana was unavailable for selection due to an ongoing side strain.
Key Highlights
- 15-Player 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, and Hasan Mahmud.
- Captaincy Return: Litton Das resumes leadership duties after rehabilitating from a hamstring issue that sidelined him against Zimbabwe and Australia.
- Recalls: Najmul Hossain Shanto earns his first T20I spot since May 2025, and Hasan Mahmud returns after his last T20I appearance in Pakistan in 2025.
- Omissions and Injuries: Nurul Hasan and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain have been dropped, whereas Nahid Rana misses out while treating a side strain.
- Tournament Pathway: Bangladesh receive direct qualification into the quarter-finals at Korogi Sports Park.
Why This Matters
The squad selection reflects the selectors’ reliance on multi-format form to bolster Bangladesh’s T20I setup ahead of major tournament competition. Having won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games, the team management aims to improve upon that result in the 2026 edition.
The recalls of Shanto and Mahmud underline how red-ball and domestic performances can revive shortest-format prospects. Both players contributed directly to Bangladesh’s historic away Test win in Australia—Shanto as captain and run-scorer, and Mahmud as Player of the Match—while also producing impactful performances during the BPL season to regain their international T20 berths.
What to Watch Next
Bangladesh will bypass the initial tournament group stage having received direct entry into the quarter-finals. Their opening match of the competition is scheduled for September 28, 2026, where they will face the winner of Group B at Korogi Sports Park, which is hosting all cricket fixtures for the Asian Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining Bangladesh at the Asian Games 2026?
Litton Das is captaining the side after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of earlier series against Zimbabwe and Australia.
Why was Nahid Rana not selected in the squad?
Fast bowler Nahid Rana missed out on selection due to an injury as he continues to manage a side strain.
When and where will Bangladesh play their first match?
Bangladesh will play their quarter-final match on September 28, 2026, against the winner of Group B. All Asian Games cricket fixtures are set to take place at Korogi Sports Park.
What medal did Bangladesh achieve in the previous Asian Games?
Bangladesh earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
Source: Crictracker