World Cup 2023: Former captain Tamim Iqbal left out of Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh squad

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Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced the Bangladesh squad for World Cup 2023 and left out their best batter and former captain Tamim Iqbal. Shakib Al Hasan will continue to lead Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Reports earlier on Tuesday, suggested that Tamim Iqbal had informed BCB about five World Cup matches keeping in mind his recurring back problem, to which Shakib Al Hasan responded by saying that he would boycott the event if BCB agreed to the former's demands.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) member told The Daily Star that Shakib Al Hasan wasn't willing to be the captain in the World Cup 2023 as doesn't want to take any half-fit cricketer to the marquee ICC event which kick-starts from October in India.

Notably, Tamim Iqbal was Bangladesh ODI captain until early July before he announced a shock retirement and then withdrew it 24 hours later after an interference from Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. However, Tamim relinquished his captaincy and missed the Asia Cup 2023 to get his back injury treated.

He returned for the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand and scored 44 off 58 in the second ODI but revealed that he was still facing pain and discomfort while batting. He was rested for the third ODI on his request.

Four Under-19 World Cup 2020 players in Bangladesh squad for World Cup 2023

Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan and Tanzim Hasan are the four players from the Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup 2020 squad who are set to make their senior ODI World Cup debut.

Litton Das has been named vice-captain and will open alongside Tanzid Hasan. Fit again Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored a fifty in the final ODI against New Zealand, will bat at three. Captain Shakib Al Hasan veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim are set to play their fifth World Cup and will take responsibility of the middle-order alongside Towhid Hridoy.

Mahmudullah names in Bangladesh World Cup 2023 squad

Further, veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah has also found a place in the squad and will play a crucial role in the lower middle-order. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to continue playing the role of floater. He has batted at four positions in ODI cricket this year. He also opened the Asia Cup 2023.

The spin department consists of left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Shakib and Mahmudullah. The Bangladesh pace attack will be led by Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan.

Bangaldesh Squad for World Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (vice-capt), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Mahmudullah