Soumya Sarkar included in Bangladesh's squad for ACC Men's Emerging Asia Cup 2023

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Men's Emerging Asia Cup 2023, which will be held in Sri Lanka next month.

Discarded from the national team, Soumya Sarkar found a place in the 15-man Bangladesh A squad that will play in the eight-nation tournament. The left-hander played his last match for Bangladesh in November 2022 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Sarkar's form has been dismal in all forms of the game. He had also been dropped from his club side, Mohammedan Sporting Club, in the Dhaka Premier League last season owing to indifferent form.

The ACC Men's Emerging Asia Cup will provide an opportunity for Sarkar to resurrect his career. With 16 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 72 T20Is under his belt, Sarkar is the most experienced player in the squad.

Saif Hassan named captain of the side

24-year-old Saif Hassan has been announced as the captain of the side. The right-hander has played six Tests and two T20Is for Bangladesh. Hassan's numbers in List A cricket have been decent. In 105 games, he has scored 3812 runs at an average of 38.89.

On the other hand, Bangladeshi opener Zakir Hasan, who was part of the team that recorded the biggest Test win in terms of runs in the 21st century against Afghanistan earlier this month, has also been named in the side. The left-handed batter scored a free-flowing 71 off 95 balls in the second innings of the aforementioned Test match.

Players like Mohammad Naim, Mahedi Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, who have experienced international cricket, have also been named in the squad.

Mahedi and the uncapped Rakibul Hasan are the specialist spinners in the squad.

Bangladesh are placed in Group B alongside Afghanistan A, Oman, and UAE.

Bangladesh A Squad: Saif Hassan (c), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Tanzim Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Musfik Hasan, Akbar Ali, Mohammad Naim