KATHMANDU: Nazmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal.

After a disappointing defeat in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup final against Pakistan at home, Bangladesh U23 are ready to again as they are set to take part in the 13th South Asian Games.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a strong squad with Nazmul Hossain Shanto remaining as the captain of the side.

This squad is pretty much the same that played the Emerging Asia Cup which includes national team players Soumya Sarkar and Naim Sheikh.

Saif Hassan, who didn’t play in the Asia Cup due to getting his maiden call-up in the Test side is also included in the squad. The young batsman, unfortunately, didn’t get the opportunity to make his debut against India in the end due to a finger injury. Leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplop failed to make it to the squad due to injury.

He only played the first game of the Asia Cup and was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to the finger injury.

SQUAD: Mohammed Saif Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Syed Minhajul Abedin Afridi, Sumon Khan, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Tanvir Islam, Manik Khan, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Soumya Sarkar, Mahadi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Women’s team also got the opportunity to play in the South Asian Games for the first time. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives are placed in Group B and the two top teams of each group will proceed to the semifinals of the event with the final scheduled to take place on December 9.

SQUAD: Salma Khatun (Captain), Nigar Sultana, Jahanara Alam, Ayesha Rahman, Farjana Haque, Murshida Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Shabnam Mustari, Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Nahida Akter, Khadija Tul Kubra, Ritu Moni, Puja Chakraborty, and Rabeya Akter.