Nazmul Hossain to lead Bangladesh in South Asian Games
BCB have named Nazmul Hossain to lead Bangladesh in the South Asian Games to be hosted by Nepal which includes big names like Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain and Naeem Sheikh. Hossain has said that the team, which emerged champions in 2010, is eyeing to bag the gold medal in the five-team event.
Cricket have made a comeback to the South Asian Games after a prolonged absence of nine years, the last time being in 2010. The 13th South Asian Games will feature five teams, Bangladesh U23, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka U23 in the cricketing event.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named Nazmul Hossain to lead the Bangladesh side, which had bagged the gold medal in 2010 edition of the five-team event. National team regulars Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain and Naeem Sheikh are the only changes to the side which represented the country in Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019. Hossain pointed out that adapting to the cold climate in Nepal will be real challenge.
"We are going with the aim to win the gold," said Nazmul after being named captain. "As far as I know it's pretty cold in Nepal so have to adapt to the condition quickly."
National selector Habibul Bashar mentioned that they are taking Soumya Sarkar as they had the chance to pick three players over 23 years of age while not making sweeping changes to the Emerging squad.Â
"We picked Soumya as there is a provision that we can take three cricketers above 23 years of age," said Habibul. "Most of the players are playing together in the Emerging squad and we planned to stick together with as it seems they are gelling as a team."
The event will be starting from December 3 as the hosts, Nepal will take on Sri Lanka U23 in the opening fixture at the TU Ground.