Prior to the team's participation in the Asia Cup T20 event in the UAE, which starts on August 27, Bangladesh bowler Hasan Mahmud and wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan have joined experienced batter Litton Das on the sidelines.
Bangladesh's attempt to win their first Asia Cup championship has been severely hampered by the loss of the two crucial players. Bangladesh has never won the continental title, despite placing second three times (in 2012, 2016 and 2018).
Hasan, who damaged his ankle during training last week, will be out for up to a month, and Nurul, who just had surgery on a finger injury, require time to rest the wounded area.
The 17-player squad will leave Dhaka for Dubai on Tuesday, and left-handed batter Mohammad Naim has been given a reprieve following impressive play for Bangladesh A during their recent tour of the West Indies.
After being reinstated as Bangladesh's T20I captain earlier this month, Shakib Al Hasan will lead Bangladesh at the Asia Cup, but the star all-rounder has kept expectations for his squad at the six-team competition low.
Shakib was recently reported by ICC as saying, "I have no goals," in response to a question regarding how his team will do at the Asia Cup. These are the preparations for the (T20) World Cup, and my main goal is for us to perform well there.
"We are living in a fool's kingdom if someone believes that they can change things in one or two days or that someone else will come and change them. If you have the capacity for practical thought, you will recognise our true progress when the team performs admirably at the World Cup in three months."
Shane Watson, a former all-rounder for Australia, says Bangladesh made the correct choice in reappointing Shakib as captain and that the Asian nation can prosper under his 35-year-old leadership.
Watson stated on The ICC Review that having a skipper of Shakib's calibre will re-energize the team. "He is incredibly knowledgeable. He has led Bangladesh as captain numerous times. Additionally, he has served as captain in other franchise competitions, including the Bangladesh Premier League."
Bangladesh Asia Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahmud Ullah, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Shaif Uddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Shabbir Rahaman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim.