On Sunday, January 4, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced their squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Liton Kumar Das will lead Bangladesh in this thrilling tournament scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8. Dynamic left-arm pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman has also secured a spot in the squad after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Bangladesh team appears well-balanced for the T20 World Cup. The pace bowling attack will be spearheaded by seasoned bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. Joining them in the pace department are Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. The spin unit, featuring specialists like Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain, is poised to make a significant impact on turning pitches.
Liton Das, the captain, will carry much of the batting responsibility for Bangladesh. However, young talents like Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon in the top order are expected to provide aggressive starts. Bangladesh faces a tough challenge in the 2026 T20 World Cup, placed in a group alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. Only two teams from this competitive group will advance to the Super-8 stage, making every match crucial.
The exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has sparked tensions in cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh. In response, the BCB has decided to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. This plea will be communicated through an official letter to the cricketing body's governing authority.
Bangladesh's Squad for T20 World Cup:
Liton Kumar Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Shoriful Islam.
Bangladesh's Group Matches in T20 World Cup:
February 7, vs. West Indies, Kolkata
February 9, vs. Italy, Kolkata
February 14, vs. England, Kolkata
February 17, vs. Nepal, Mumbai
