The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) just dropped its 15-member world-cup squad. This is for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. It happened on Sunday, and there are some pretty big talking points. Pacer Taskin Ahmed is back in the mix. But Jaker Ali, who was a really regular player, got left out. This news comes as the team prepares for a tough tournament.
Squad Shakes Up for Global Challenge
Litton Das will keep leading the team as captain. Mohammed Saif Hassan is his vice-captain. This squad seems like a good mix of fresh faces and experienced guys, you know. The batting order will pretty much rely on Das. In-form batters Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan are set to open, forming the top three. It’s a crucial lineup.
Taskin Ahmed’s return is a huge boost. He missed Bangladesh’s recent series against Ireland. He’s going to lead the pace attack with Mustafizur Rahman, who’s a star. They’ll have good support from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, and Mohammad Saifuddin. For spin, Rishad Hossain is the main spinner. He’s supported by left-armer Nasum Ahmed and off-spinner Mahedi Hasan. Mahedi is good for powerplay bowling, which is important.
The big shock is Jaker Ali getting dropped. It’s a pretty significant change. He had played in every single one of Bangladesh’s 45 T20 Internationals since March 2024. That’s a lot of games for a player to miss. His exclusion, apparently, is due to poor form. And there’s been a lot of criticism about his batting style too. His leg-side hitting just wasn’t delivering the goods anymore.
The Full 2026 World Cup Squad
Here’s the complete 15-member team that Bangladesh is sending:
Litton Kumar Das (Captain), Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Md Shaifuddin, and Shoriful Islam.
Tournament Outlook and Strategy
The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It kicks off on February 7 and runs until March 8, 2026. Bangladesh is in Group C. That’s a tough group with England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. Only two teams from each group will move on to the Super 8s. Bangladesh’s first match is against the West Indies on February 7.
Historically, Bangladesh has been in every T20 World Cup. But they’ve never made it to the semifinals or gone further. This time, the squad really wants to win the nation’s first senior men’s ICC title. That would be a huge achievement.
The team’s batting will heavily rely on captain Litton Das. Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon are expected to provide key support. The middle order features Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan. Emon might even bat at number four. He’s done well there in the current Bangladesh Premier League.
But Bangladesh’s biggest strength is their bowling. The pace attack is really impressive, with Taskin back alongside Mustafizur Rahman. Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, and Mohammad Saifuddin make it pretty formidable. The spin trio of Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan should also be very effective. Especially on turning pitches, which we expect to see. It’s a good strategy for a tough group like theirs.
Controversy Brews Over World Cup Venues
There’s a big controversy bubbling up, too. It’s causing some real diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and India. The BCB has reportedly asked for Bangladesh’s World Cup matches to be moved. They want them shifted from India to Sri Lanka. This request follows the BCCI’s decision to release Mustafizur Rahman from his Kolkata Knight Riders IPL squad. NDTV Sports reported on this significant development.
The Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed on Saturday that the BCCI, as the IPL regulator, told them to release Mustafizur. This was ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The BCCI said KKR could pick a replacement player, following IPL rules. Bangladesh’s sports ministry instructed the BCB to seek this venue change. They’re citing security concerns for the team. According to a report in Hindustan Times, the BCB is planning to write to the ICC about it. The ICC hasn’t responded yet, it seems. This whole situation shows a bigger worry about player safety. It’s amid escalating political tensions between the two nations, which is a big deal. Another Hindustan Times article highlighted the BCCI’s reaction and the logistical nightmare involved.
This squad selection marks another chapter for Bangladesh cricket. They continue their quest for a major international title. With a balanced team and strong bowling, they aim to make a real impact. Hindustan Times also detailed the key players headlining the squad amidst these travel doubts. It will be interesting to see how the venue controversy plays out.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee 
Priyanjan Paul