Taskin returns, Jaker Ali dropped from Bangladesh T20 World Cup squad

Bangladesh pace bowler Taskin Ahmed returns to the shortest format after being named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Taskin had missed the recent home series against Ireland while featuring in the ILT20 for Sharjah Warriorz. Top-order batter Litton Kumar Das will lead the side, with Saif Hassan named his deputy. Bangladesh will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on the opening day of the tournament. They are placed in Group C alongside West Indies, England, Nepal and Italy. Their first game is against two-time champions West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bangladesh will then face debutants Italy at the same venue on February 9, followed by a clash against England on February 14, also in Kolkata. Their final group stage game is against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai. The build-up to the tournament has, however, been clouded by concerns back home following Mustafizur Rahman's exclusion from Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL squad, a development that prompted the Bangladesh Cricket Board to convene an emergency meeting and seek clarity from both the ICC and the BCCI. The BCB is set to write to the ICC seeking assurances over security arrangements for players, fans, media and sponsors during the World Cup in India, while also asking the BCCI for a formal explanation behind Mustafizur's removal from the KKR squad. The episode has sparked widespread reaction in Bangladesh, with sections of the cricket fraternity urging the board to reconsider playing their group matches in India, citing broader concerns over player safety. Bangladesh Squad for T20 World Cup: Litton Kumar Das (captain), Mohammed Saif Hassan (vice-captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Md Shaifuddin, Shoriful Islam