Nazmul Hossain to lead Bangladesh in South Asian Games

Left-handed batsman Nazmul Hossain will lead Bangladesh in the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal, Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Friday (November 29). Bangladesh named a strong squad for the event that includes national regulars like Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain and Naeem Sheikh.

Bangladesh Under23, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Under23 will take part in the event that will see the hosts taking on Sri Lanka Under-23 in the opening game at the TU Ground on December 3.

The last time cricket was part of South Asian Games was back in 2010 but since then the authorities hosted the biggest sporting event in South Asia without the most popular sport in the region. Bangladesh Men won the gold the last time cricket was a part of the games.

"We are going with the aim to win the gold," said Nazmul after being named captain. "As far as I know it's pretty cold in Nepal so have to adapt to the condition quickly."

National selector Habibul Bashar mentioned that they are taking Soumya Sarkar as they had the chance to pick three players over 23 years of age while not making sweeping changes to the Emerging squad. "We picked Soumya as there is a provision that we can take three cricketers above 23 years of age," said Habibul. "Most of the players are playing together in the Emerging squad and we planned to stick together with as it seems they are gelling as a team."

A recent hand injury ruled out leg spinner Aminul Islam from the tournament. The selectors will be keeping a close eye on another Minhajul Abedin Afridi, who has been picked in place of Aminul.

Squad:Mohammed Saif Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain),Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Syed Minhajul Abedin Afridi, Sumon Khan, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Tanvir Islam, Manik Khan, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Soumya Sarkar, Mahadi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud

Women's team eyes gold

Bangladesh pace bowler Jahanara Alam said that they are optimistic of securing the gold this time. Seven teams divided into two groups will take part in the women's cricket event with Group A comprising of Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

Bangladesh, Pakistan and Maldives are placed in Group B and the two top teams of each group will proceed to the semifinals of the event with the final scheduled to take place on December 9.

"We got the opportunity to play in the SA Games for the first time. We're eager to make this event memorable and to do so, we've to make a good start to the event," Jahanara told reporters on Friday before leaving for Nepal. "We've to make a good start to the competition. Our main goal in the event is to win the Gold medal," she said.

Bangladesh will miss the services of leg spinner Rumana Ahmed as she is rested as a result of a knee injury that also prevented her from taking part in the T20 World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh Women Squad: Salma Khatun (Captain), Nigar Sultana, Jahanara Alam, Ayesha Rahman, Farjana Haque, Murshida Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Shabnam Mustari, Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Nahida Akter, Khadija Tul Kubra, Ritu Moni, Puja Chakraborty and Rabeya Akter