Sheikh Morsalin replacing Matin Mia is the only change from last month’s Maldives playoffs as Bangladesh Friday announced the final squad for the opening group-round fixture of the World Cup qualifiers against Australia Thursday.
Matin did not get any playing time against the Maldives while Morsalin, along with Anisur Rahman Zico and Topu Barman, were left out due to temporary suspension for breaching discipline.
Zico and Topu’s ban extended for months but Morsalin was only fined and subsequently cleared to become available for selection.
Morsalin made it to the preliminary squad for the Australia tie and Matin was excluded.
The final 23-man squad also kept defender Shakil Hossain and goalkeeper Mitul Marma who shone against the Maldives after replacing Topu and Zico respectively.
A 32-member Bangladesh contingent is scheduled to leave the capital for Melbourne Friday night.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Mitul Marma, Pappu Hossain
Defenders: Tariq Raihan Kazi, Bishwanath Ghosh, Shakil Hossain, Rahmat Mia, Saad Uddin, Isa Faysal, Murad Hasan
Midfielders: Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Mohammad Ridoy, Rabiul Hasan, Jayed Ahmed
Forwards: Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Ibrahim, Suman Reza, Rakib Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Mojibur Rahman Jony, Sheikh Morsalin