BCB to announce Asia Cup squad on Saturday

By Bipin Dani

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again delayed the announcement of its squad for the Asia Cup. 
The BCB had sought an extension to the August 8 deadline for naming squads, and the team was scheduled to be announced on Thursday but the date has again been deferred. 

“We will announce the squad on Saturday afternoon,” a source said from Dhaka. 
“We will announce the name of the captain and the team on the same day.”

The reason for the postponement of the announcement is likely the issue with the team’s biggest star Shakib Al Hasan, who has endorsed a sports betting company on social media.  

As per existing laws in Bangladesh, there is prohibition on facilitation and promotion of any gambling related activities. 

“Let him decide whether he wants to play for the country or stay with betting,” the BCB chief Nazmul Hassan Papon has said. 

Incidentally, it is not the choice of the selectors but the BCB has a policy to pick a captain. 
“We have 3-4 names and will announce one among them to lead the side”. 

In the meantime, injured Nurul Hasan Sohan is ruled out, it is also learnt. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper/batter who was injured in Zimbabwe has returned from Singapore after having a successful hand surgery by Dr. Antony Foo.