Litton Das returns as Bangladesh ODI captain, Aliss Al Islam earns maiden call-up for UAE tri-series
Synopsis
Bangladesh have handed mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam his maiden ODI call-up for the UAE tri-series — a player with just one T20I to his name but 60 T20I wickets domestically. Combined with Litton Das's return as captain after a calf injury absence, this is a Bangladesh side in active transition, testing new options ahead of a competitive three-nation tournament.
Key Takeaways
Litton Das has been named Bangladesh ODI captain for the UAE tri-series , returning after missing the Zimbabwe ODI series in July with a calf injury.
Mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam earns his maiden ODI call-up , having taken 35 wickets in 19 List A games and 60 wickets in 59 T20Is .
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud returns to the squad, while Nahid Rana remains out with a side strain — absent since July 2026 .
Zimbabwe will be captained by Sikandar Raza ; Richard Ngarava is still recovering from a back injury.
The tri-series also features Afghanistan , who have already named their squad.
Litton Das has been named captain of the Bangladesh ODI side for the upcoming UAE tri-series, which also features Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad on Saturday, 10 October. Mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam earned his maiden ODI call-up, adding an element of intrigue to the selection.
Aliss Al Islam: The New Mystery Spinner
Aliss has featured in just one T20I — at the Asian Games — but has made a compelling case through his domestic performances. He has claimed 35 wickets in 19 List A games and 60 wickets in 59 T20Is, numbers that reportedly caught the selectors' attention. His inclusion signals Bangladesh's intent to add variety to their spin attack ahead of a competitive three-nation tournament.
Litton Das Back at the Helm
Das's return to the captaincy comes after he missed the ODI series against Zimbabwe in July due to a calf injury. He had originally been appointed ODI captain in July, taking over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whom the board decided to relieve of leadership duties to allow him to focus fully on his all-round game. Das now resumes that role with a point to prove after his injury-enforced absence.
Hasan Mahmud Returns, Nahid Rana Still Out
Right-arm fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has been recalled to the squad, while Nahid Rana remains sidelined due to a side strain. Rana has been absent from international cricket since July 2026, having missed the 1-1 historic Test series draw against Australia, the Asian Games, and the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan. His continued absence is a concern for Bangladesh's pace bowling depth.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan Also Named Squads
Zimbabwe have named Sikandar Raza as captain for the tri-series, with Richard Ngarava still recovering from a back injury. The Zimbabwean squad largely mirrors the side that faced Australia in Harare last month, with Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa replacing Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer. According to a Zimbabwe Cricket release, Kaia is working his way back from a thigh strain and is expected to be fit for the subsequent T20I series. Afghanistan had previously announced their squad for the tournament.
Full Bangladesh Squad for the UAE ODI Tri-Series
Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.
The UAE tri-series is shaping up as a significant preparatory tournament for all three sides, with Bangladesh in particular keen to consolidate their ODI unit under a returning captain.
Point of View
However, is the continued absence of Nahid Rana: a side strain that has kept him out since July 2026 across multiple formats raises questions about Bangladesh's pace depth that a UAE tri-series cannot answer. Litton Das's return as captain restores some stability, but Bangladesh are clearly using this tournament to road-test options rather than field a settled unit — a risky approach against an in-form Afghanistan side.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Litton Das not captain before the UAE tri-series squad?
Litton Das missed the ODI series against Zimbabwe in July 2026 due to a calf injury, which kept him out of the captaincy during that period. He had originally been appointed ODI captain in July, taking over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and now returns to lead the side for the UAE tri-series.
Who is Aliss Al Islam and why has he been picked?
Aliss Al Islam is a mystery spinner who has taken 35 wickets in 19 List A games and 60 wickets in 59 T20Is on the domestic circuit. He has played just one T20I at the Asian Games, and his maiden ODI call-up is based on his consistent domestic performances.
Why is Nahid Rana not in the Bangladesh squad?
Nahid Rana is sidelined with a side strain and has been absent from international cricket since July 2026. He missed the 1-1 Test series draw against Australia, the Asian Games, and the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Which teams are playing in the UAE ODI tri-series?
The UAE ODI tri-series features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe. All three sides have named their squads, with Sikandar Raza captaining Zimbabwe and Bangladesh led by Litton Das.
Who replaced Mehidy Hasan Miraz as Bangladesh ODI captain?
Litton Das replaced Mehidy Hasan Miraz as Bangladesh ODI captain in July 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board decided to relieve Miraz of the captaincy so he could focus on his all-round skills without the added responsibility of leadership.
