USA Cricket has named 44-member squad for training camp that includes Shaker Ahmed, a Bangladeshi-born American all-rounder.

Like Shakib Al Hasan and idol Daniel Vettori, Shaker bowls left-arm ofthodox and bats left-handed. He has played first-class cricket for Sylhet Division and Dhaka Premier League for Victoria Sporting Club. He was part of Bangladesh squad in the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

USA are preparing for return in the Cricket World Cup League 2 after break caused by the pandemic. The 44-man squad includes players from various nations including the Caribbean, Australia, India and Pakistan.

Shaker plays for Cricket Academy of Detroit in the United States. In 2014, he made his final appearance in competitive cricket in Bangladesh. 

The 28-year-old’s academy spoke to BDCricTime.com about his journey.

“Yeah [Shaker] came to USA in 2014, Than he started playing in the local league in Michigan State. League Name Michigan Cricket Association. Since then he has been playing all over USA. He has led our team in a different tournament and has won many trophies. Last year USA cricket started T20 State level League’s where he was selected in the Michigan State Team and then later he was selected as the captain of the State team. Locally he captains our team called Cricket Academy Of Detroit,” the academy told BDCricTime.com.

“He is a permanent resident of United States now so he is eligible to represent.”

The US camp also includes Ian Holland of Australia and Rusty Theron of South Africa.

USA currently have ODI status. In recent times, New Zealand’s Corey Anderson, Pakistan’s Sami Aslam and Shehan Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka gave up international careers for their first nations to settle in the US.

USA Men’s training group: