Bangladesh Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Players, Surprises, and Expectations

Bangladesh Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Full Team Analysis

For the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Bangladesh cricket team has revealed its squad, including a blend of fresh faces accompanied by seasoned campaigners.

The team is commanded by Najmul Hossain Shanto who hopes they can claim an ICC title for the first time in the history of Bangladesh cricket.

In this article, we shall break down the squad, talk about critical players, cover some shockers, and give you information regarding the prospects of Bangladesh in the tournament.

Bangladesh Squad Overview

All the parts of Bangladesh‘s representative squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which, by the way, consists of batters, all-rounders and bowlers, are neatly balanced.

Here’s the full list of players:

  • Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)
  • Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper)
  • Towhid Hridoy
  • Soumya Sarkar
  • Tanzid Hasan
  • Mahmudullah
  • Jaker Ali
  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz
  • Rishad Hossain
  • Taskin Ahmed
  • Mustafizur Rahman
  • Parvez Hossain Emon
  • Nasum Ahmed
  • Tanzim Hasan Sakib
  • Nahid Rana

Key Players to Watch

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)

As it has been already known, he will probably captain the side at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

He is an all-rounder of 26 who bats from the top order.

Shanto, who is well known for his sequence of calmness and patience in taking the innings, is known for his good demeanour. Shanto, after having suffered from a hamstring injury, is keen to establish himself self, which he has missed for quite a while.

Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper)

At 37, Rahim is as dependable as ever and still one of the squad’s most accomplished wicketkeeper batsmen, which is noteworthy. Besides, engine room and skill level are vital when he builds up stamina and performs outstandingly under pressure, especially in crucial situations.

Mustafizur Rahman (Bowler)

As a left-arm pace bowler, Mustafizur Rahman has been the backbone of Bangladeshi bowling in the most challenging of times.

His variations, coupled with death bowling skills, will be key in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mahmudullah (All-rounder)

This experienced all-rounder certainly adds to the overall balance of the team.

Coming in at the ‘big hitters’ able to turn games with skillful batting and handy bowling, Mahmudullah offers pivotal help in the lower middle order.

Surprises in the Squad

Litton Das Dropped

Litton Das being named in the team was one of the biggest surprises. Das, the keeper-batsman, has not been in the form of late, and it is even harder to believe that he has not scored a half-century in his last 13 ODI innings.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain outlined the rationale of Litton getting dropped as ‘remaining too passive during the powerplay and subsequently getting out in the same way time and again’.

Shakib Al Hasan Misses Out

Another noticeable name missing from the list is Shakib Al Hasan, who is in his 11th year of being part of the Bangladeshi National Cricket team.

His removal comes on the back of his suspension from bowling because of his use of an illegal action. This could quite possibly be the end of most people’s favourite all-rounder’s career in One Day Internationals.

Bangladesh’s Recent Form

As for the performances of Bangladesh, they have been below standard.

The West Indies toured only for a Test series, and they managed to tie it at 1-1. Following this, Bangladesh lost all their ODIs. Despite this, they were able to win the T20I series convincingly at 3-0.

This kind of inconsistency makes them a dark horse in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Bangladesh’s Chances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Bangladesh has ever performed below expectations, and all hope is lost in the eyes of their fans, but just like with every other team, tournaments prove to bring out the best of them.

I consider the Bangladesh squad as underdogs as their overall performance dropped, and very few people have faith in them. But looking back at 2017, when Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah fueled the ICC, they made it all the way to the semifinals.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the team captain, believes in their chances. “We are going to the ICC Champions Trophy with the goal of winning,” he explained. “The team is a fine blend of experienced and young boys. If all the players play their part, we can beat any team.”

Bangladesh Match Schedule for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Dates, Venues & Timings)

DateOpponentVenueTime (Local)
February 20, 2025IndiaDubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai2:00 PM
February 24, 2025New ZealandRawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi2:00 PM
February 27, 2025PakistanRawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi2:00 PM

FAQs About Bangladesh’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Why was Litton Das dropped from the squad?

Litton Das was dropped because of his lack of form. Did not score a fifty in his last 13 ODI innings.

The selectors thought he was starting to capitalise on the powerplay and getting out in the same way too often.

Is Shakib Al Hasan retiring from ODIs?

Not having officially retired, his absence from the squad makes it likely that he will not play ODIs anymore, particularly after his being banned from bowling.

Who will open the innings for Bangladesh?

Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan are expected to open the innings because Litton Das is unavailable.

What is Bangladesh’s best performance in the ICC Champions Trophy?

Bangladesh achieved their best ICC Champions Trophy outcome during its 2017 edition, beating New Zealand to reach the semifinals.

Who is the captain of the Bangladesh squad?

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Bangladesh team will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto.

How strong is Bangladesh’s bowling attack?

With spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain and pace bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh have an effective and well-rounded bowling unit.

What are Bangladesh’s chances of winning the tournament?

Although unlikely to win, Bangladesh’s underdog status means they have a realistic chance of doing so if they get consistent performances from their star players.

Who are the young players to watch in the squad?

The squad has many young players with great potential, including Rishad Hossain, Nahid Rana, and Tanzid Hasan.

How has Bangladesh performed in recent ICC tournaments?

In the last few ICC tournaments, Bangladesh has demonstrated solid potential but their level of performance has been quite unstable.

What is the role of Mahmudullah in the squad?

Serving as an experienced all-rounder, Mahmudullah is a critical part of the middle order and has exceptional bowling abilities as well.

Conclusion

The squad has high hopes with a blend of youth and experience for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Even though it is surprising that Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan were not included, the team can perform well, given their most important assets.

Driven by his captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh has a balanced squad and aims to create history by winning their first ICC title.