Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the Bangladesh team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with injured pacer Taskin Ahmed assisting him as his deputy.

The 15-member squad is grouped in Group D along with Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Nepal.

The squad also features Shakib al Hasan, who has played every T20 World Cup since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2007.

Taskin is racing against time to recover from a side strain that he suffered in the recent fourth T20 international against Zimbabwe. The bowler is under expert medical care, is currently undergoing rehabilitation and hopes to get match fit before June 8, when Bangladesh open their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Dallas.

The speedster missed Bangladesh’s fifth match against Zimbabwe and was still named the player-of-the-series for taking his eight-wicket feat in four matches. Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe 4-1 in the series.

The Bangladesh batting mainstays are Litton Das, who despite having a dull time in the shortest format, finds a place in the team, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah. The trio would be supported by Shakib, Tawhid Hridoy and the captain, who form the much-decisive middle order.

In the bowling department, Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been included and he will be alongside Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam.

Afif Hossain and Hasan Mahmud will be the travelling reserves for the ICC tournament.

Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Taskin Ahmed (vice-captain), Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud