Bangladesh name 26-member squad for Asian Champions Trophy hockey

 
Bangladesh has named a 26-member squad for the Asian Champions Trophy in India, with the national hockey side set to return to continental competition after being drafted in as Pakistan's replacement.

The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) announced the squad in a press release on Monday, confirming that the team will compete in the tournament from 27 October to 5 November.

The squad includes experienced campaigners Rasel Mahmud, Roman Sarkar, Rajibul Hasan, Mahbub Hossain and Amirul Islam, alongside younger players who featured prominently in Bangladesh's recent international campaigns.

The 26 players are Biplob Kujur, Ashraful Haque Saad, Md Hozaifa Hossain, Amirul Islam, Rezaul Karim Babu, MM Mehrab Hasan Samin, Obaidul Hossain Joy, Khaled Mahmud Rakin, Pushkar Khisa Mimo, Rakibul Hasan, Mahbub Hossain, Ashraful Islam, Farhad Ahmed, Roman Sarkar, Nuruzzaman Nayan, Rasel Mahmud, Md Sohanur Rahman, Md Abed Uddin, Md Taher Ali, Md Tanvir Rahman Siyam, Md Abdullah, Md Mahmud Hasan, Al Nahian Shuvo, Md Arshad Hossain, Md Shahidur Rahman Saju and Md Din Islam Emon.

German coach Gerhard Peter Rach will oversee the team, with Shahidullah Titu as coach. Rahul Kanti Ray has been named manager and Akil Siddique assistant manager.

Bangladesh, one of the reserve sides, received the invitation after Pakistan withdrew from the tournament. The six-team competition will also feature India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and China. All league-stage matches will be played in Jalandhar, with the knockout phase moving to Mohali.