Spanish coach Javier Cabrera hands debuts to Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury and young Italy-based Fahmidul Islam; Canada-based forward Shamit Som left out of starting XI.

Bangladesh is set to field two debutants in their international friendly against Bhutan, with English Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury and young prospect Fahmidul Islam earning their first caps. Head coach Javier Cabrera has named both players in the starting eleven, opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the fixture scheduled to kick off at 7 PM at the Dhaka National Stadium.

Hamza Choudhury, who plays for Leicester City in England, will make his highly anticipated debut in front of a home crowd. Alongside him, Fahmidul Islam, a youngster currently playing in the fourth tier of Italian football, will also represent Bangladesh for the first time. However, forward Shamit Som, who has been making headlines in the Canadian Premier League, has not been included in the starting lineup.

In goal, Bangladesh will rely on Mitul Marma, while the defensive line features a mix of experience and youth. The back four includes Topu Barman and Tariq Kazi at center-back, flanked by brothers Sad Uddin and Taj Uddin on the wings.

Hamza Choudhury will partner veteran midfielder Sohel Rana in the holding roles, providing balance and distribution in midfield. Returning to the squad is Jamal Bhuiyan, who was a non-playing captain in the March match against India. He will add experience and composure to the midfield unit.

Fahmidul Islam and Shah Kazem Kirmani will take up roles in the attacking midfield positions, expected to link up with striker Rakib Hossain, who will operate in a false nine role at the tip of the attack.

This fixture marks the 17th meeting between Bangladesh and Bhutan. Historically, Bangladesh has dominated the rivalry, winning 12 out of the previous 16 encounters. Bhutan has managed two victories, while two matches ended in a draw. The most recent clash between the two nations took place last September in Thimphu, where Bhutan emerged victorious.

Coach Cabrera’s tactical setup and selection reflect both a desire to test new talent and a focus on building a stable core ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures. The inclusion of European-based players like Hamza and Fahmidul signals a broader scouting approach by the Bangladesh Football Federation, aiming to strengthen the squad with talent from the diaspora.

The full starting lineup for Bangladesh features:
Mitul Marma (goalkeeper), Sad Uddin, Taj Uddin, Tariq Kazi, Topu Barman (defenders); Jamal Bhuiyan, Hamza Choudhury, Sohel Rana (midfielders); Fahmidul Islam, Shah Kazem Kirmani (attacking midfielders); Rakib Hossain (forward).

All eyes will be on the two debutants as they aim to make a lasting impact in their first appearances for the national team.