Hamza arrives in Dhaka, eyes SAFF debut against Sri Lanka 

 
Bangladesh have received a timely boost ahead of their final group-stage match in the TECNO SAFF Championship, with midfielder Hamza Dewan Chowdhury arriving in Dhaka on Monday morning.

The English-born midfielder joined the national team camp after travelling from England and is expected to be available for Wednesday's Group A encounter against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium. Hamza's arrival comes as Bangladesh look to build momentum following their 1-0 victory over Bhutan in their opening match, a result that secured their place in the semi-finals. His presence is expected to add quality and experience to the midfield as the hosts prepare for the knockout stage.

The 28-year-old, who has played in the English Premier League with Leicester City, made his international debut for Bangladesh against India in March 2025. Since then, he has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the national set-up and a major attraction for local supporters. His arrival followed the start of the November FIFA international window, which cleared the way for Sheffield United to release him after their club commitments. Team manager Amirul Islam Babu confirmed that Hamza had reached Dhaka, although it was not yet certain whether he would take part in Monday afternoon's training session or rest after the journey. 

Bangladesh had already booked their semi-final place after Sri Lanka and Bhutan played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday. Wednesday's fixture will therefore serve as an opportunity for head coach Thomas Dooley to assess his side and fine-tune preparations before the last four.  Hamza's much-anticipated arrival has added another dimension to Bangladesh's title pursuit, with supporters eager to see the Leicester City academy graduate make his first appearance in the regional tournament.