As Bangladesh's national cricket team prepares to face Zimbabwe, the country’s Under-19 side is gearing up for a busy international schedule of its own. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where the youth team will play a six-match One Day International series later this month.

Azizul Hakim Tamim will continue as the captain of the squad, having been retained in the leadership role for the series. The tour is scheduled to begin with a warm-up match on April 24, followed by the official series opener on April 26. The remaining five matches are slated for April 28, and May 1, 3, 6, and 8. All matches will be held in Hambantota, a southern coastal city in Sri Lanka known for hosting international cricket events.

The squad features a mix of emerging talents, many of whom were part of a preparatory training camp held in Rajshahi from April 6 to 19. Performance during this camp, alongside physical fitness assessments and future potential, were the key criteria in finalizing the touring party.

The 15 players selected for the main squad include Jawad Abrar, Samiun Bashir Ratul, Kalam Siddique Alin, Debashish Sarkar Deba, Rizan Hossain, Al Fahad, Iqbal Hossain Emon, Rafi Uz Zaman Rafi, Farid Hasan Faisal, Sanjid Majumder, Sad Islam Rajin, Shahriar Ahmed, Mohammad Abdullah, and Farhan Shahriar.

In addition to the primary squad, five extra players have been named as reserves to be considered in case of injuries or other emergencies. These stand-by players are Rifat Beg, Yasir Arafat, Mehrab Hossain Sisan, Farzan Ahmed Alif, and Shahriar Al Amin.

The squad announcement reflects the BCB’s long-term vision for youth development and talent grooming, especially with an eye on future ICC Under-19 tournaments. The Sri Lanka tour is expected to provide valuable international exposure and competitive match experience to the next generation of Bangladeshi cricketers.

The upcoming series in Hambantota is seen as a significant test for the young cricketers, offering a platform to display their skills against a competitive opponent in unfamiliar conditions. With high expectations from selectors and fans alike, the team will be hoping to make a strong impression during the series.