Sports Desk:

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official said on Monday that fast bowler Hasan Mahmud will be part of Bangladesh’s initial preparation phase for the ICC Champions Trophy but will return home once the tournament begins.

Although not included in the official 15-member squad, which features pacers Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanjim Hasan Sakib, and Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan’s impressive form has earned him a spot in the preparatory camp.

The Bangladesh team is set to leave for the UAE on February 14, where they will play a warm-up match against Pakistan A before starting their Champions Trophy campaign.

Their first match is scheduled against India in Dubai on February 20, followed by key clashes against New Zealand and Pakistan in Rawalpindi on February 24 and 27, respectively.