Dhaka, Sept 23 (V7N) – Off-spinner Aliss Al Islam, popularly known as a mystery spinner, has been included in Bangladesh's Asian Games squad as a replacement for injured all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed today.
Saifuddin was ruled out with a hamstring injury, paving the way for Aliss to join the squad for the multi-sport event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Aliss was already in Mirpur with the team preparing for the tournament. He was seen wearing the orange practice jersey assigned to the Asian Games squad this morning before the BCB officially confirmed his inclusion later in the day.
The 29-year-old spinner first attracted attention when he claimed a hat-trick on his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) debut in 2019. However, he is yet to make his international debut for Bangladesh.
Aliss was called up to Bangladesh's T20I squad for the 2024 series against Sri Lanka but was ruled out before the series began after suffering a finger injury. In the most recent BPL season, Aliss took nine wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.71 runs per over. He has played 58 T20 matches in his career, taking 59 wickets at an economy rate of 6.12. He has also taken three wickets in his only List A appearance, against South Africa A.
Bangladesh is scheduled to fly to Japan tomorrow (Thursday) and will begin their Asian Games campaign in the quarterfinals on September 28 at 11 AM Bangladesh time. The champion of Group B, which comprised Hong Kong, Oman and Malaysia, will take on Bangladesh in the quarterfinals.
In the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, Bangladesh won the bronze medal, but this time, they are determined to win gold. The cricket competition at the 20th Asian Games will feature teams from across the continent, with the final scheduled to be held at the new purpose-built cricket ground in Nagoya.
