A 16-member Bangladesh team, without star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, will leave for Sri Lanka on Sunday afternoon to participate in the Nidahas Trophy.
The Tri-nation T20I Tournament will begin on Tuesday (March 6) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, reports UNB.
Host Sri Lanka will play India in the opening match on Tuesday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, while Bangladesh will start their campaign taking on the hosts on Thursday.
Bangladesh Twenty20 captain Shakib has been ruled out of the Nidahas Trophy tri-nation T20I at the last moment as he is still nursing an injury to his left hand.
Shakib has been replaced in the squad by batsman Litton Das.
In absence of Shakib, all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the Bangladesh team again in the Tri-nation tournament.
In his pre-departure press conference in Dhaka on Saturday, The Tigers Interim coach Courtney Walsh said he hoped to have the full support of all the players and the BCB bosses and want to play final playing good game consistently match by match.
"I am excited to be in that position. I am sure I will get the full support of the BCB, president, directors, senior players and even the junior players. Once everybody comes to the table and we work together, it will be good to start planning how we go from here," the West Indian legend said.\
Walsh has said his message to the Bangladesh players would be to let go of any added pressure. "I will tell them to go out there and express themselves and enjoy the game," he said.
"They have to execute the game plan as best as they can. It is no point going into a game with added pressure. We have to relax and enjoy what we are doing, with purpose. I want them to feel proud playing for Bangladesh."
The tri-nation tournament is being held to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence.
Bangladesh Squad: Mahmudullah Riyad (Captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Soumya Sarker, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Haider Rony, Abu Jahed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nurul Hasan Shohan, Nazmul Islam Apu and Litton Kumer Das.
ITINERARY
March 6, 2018 Sri Lanka v India R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
March 8, 2018 Bangladesh v India R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
March 10, 2018 Sri Lanka v Bangladesh R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
March 12, 2018 Sri Lanka v India R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
14 March, 2018 Bangladesh v India R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
March 16, 2018 Sri Lanka v Bangladesh R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
FINAL (two top teams)
March 18, 2018 R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo