Wicketkeeper-batsman Akbar Ali will lead Bangladesh squad for the upcoming 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa. The 18-year-old also led Bangladesh U-19s in their recent home series against Sri Lanka. They clinched the five-match Youth One-Day International series 4-0. He scored two half-centuries during the series and also bagged five catches in it.
Towhid Hridoy, who was the leading run-scorer against Sri Lanka, has been named as Ali’s deputy.
The right-handed batsman scored 431 runs at a stunning average of 215.50.
Opener Tanzid Hasan, who top-scored against New Zealand, has also retained his spot in the side.
Besides these, left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam and right-arm pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib have also been included for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.
Bangladesh have won U-19 World Cup twice, overcoming West Indies and Australia in 1998 and 2004 respectively.
Bangladesh are in Group C of the U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, along with Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Scotland.
Bangladesh will head to the tournament with the three bilateral series win. The side had also made it to the Asia Cup final earlier this year but missed out on the title.
The team will begin their campaign against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom on January 18.
Bangladesh squad:
Akbar Ali (c), Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Prantik Nawrose Nabil, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Mohammad Mrittunjoy Chowdhury Nipun, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Avishek Das, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Shahin Alom, Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Morad.
