Bangladesh recall Mortaza for Asia Cup

Former captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has been recalled to the 14-man Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup cricket tournament to be held in Dhaka from March 11 to 22.

Even as they recalled Mortaza, the Bangladesh selectors have dropped explosive opener Tamim Iqbal from the squad, in a move announced on Monday.

Apart from Iqbal, the selectors have also dropped three other players of the 15-man squad, which played in the home One-day series against Pakistan in December last year.

Besides Mortaza, the selectors have also brought back Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Anamul Haque into the squad.

While Mortaza led the Dhaka Gladiators to victory in the inaugural T20 Bangladesh Premier League, Iqbal played only two games for the Chittagong Kings due to a groin injury.

The selectors, however, did not announce the names of the captain and the vice-captain of the team.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the opening match of the competition at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

Squad: Imrul Kayes, Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Elias Sunny, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Anamul Haque.