No Place For Shakib, Shanto Snubs Litton; Bangladesh's Strongest XI For Champions Trophy

No place for Shakib, Litton in squad [Source: @OptaJim/X.Com]

Bangladesh have announced their Champions Trophy 2025 squad and the selectors have sprung a surprise by omitting two of their most experienced players, Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. The exclusion of the two star players has raised quite a few eyebrows.

Litton was going through a rough patch as of late, but was expected to be the first choice keeper since Mushfiqur was nursing an injury and missed the last series Vs West Indies. Shakib was actually banned from bowling and failed his second bowling test and as a result, the selectors took a bold call on him.

As a result, the team looks undercooked without their key players and need the old guards like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to deliver the goods. With their squad announced, we look at Bangladesh's strongest XI for the upcoming event.

Key players dropped, Shanto to keep wickets?

The likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das have been excluded from the squad. Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarka will most likely open, followed by the captain himself at number 3.

The comeback man, Mushfiqur Rahim will bat at number 4, and Bangladesh's key player, Towhid Hridoy is likely to occupy the number 5 spot. With no Litton in the side, Mushfiqur is expected to keep wickets, but in the ongoing BPL, Najmul Hossain Shanto is also doing the keeping duties, so don't be surprised if he dons the gloves.

Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan will bat at number 6 and 7 as the batting side looks decent on paper.

Bowling hopes pinned on pacers

For the first time, Bangladesh have three quality pacers in their side - Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Barring any last minute change, all the three quick bowlers are likely to play in the playing XI.

Nahid Rana has made a name for himself in such a short span of time and will most likely be the leader of the pace attack. Mystery spinner, Rishad Hossain will form the spin partnership alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Bangladesh's strongest XI for Champions Trophy

Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana

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