Bangladesh began camp Tuesday ahead of next month’s friendlies against Nepal, with midfielder Hamza Choudhury named in the preliminary squad and Canada-based Shamit Shome missing out.

The national side will play two matches in Kathmandu on September 6 and 9 during the FIFA window.

Manager Amer Khan confirmed Hamza is in coach Javier Cabrera’s 24-man shortlist, and that the federation has already written to Leicester City seeking his release. 

Hamza Chowdhury arrives Dhaka to play first match on home soil

Shamit’s club Cavalry FC, however, has league fixtures on September 6 and 14, and won’t be making him available.

“Shamit has club commitments, so he’s not in this camp,” Amer said. “Hamza’s inclusion is under discussion with Leicester.”

Clubs are obliged under FIFA rules to release players 72 hours before an international, but officials appear unwilling to push the Canadian side into a dispute.

Speculation had swirled that Hamza might also skip the September window, but BFF is hopeful he will make the trip. The federation sees the matches as a useful tune-up ahead of October’s Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, where both Hamza and Shamit are considered key figures.

The first day of camp was a quiet one. Only five players turned up — not enough for a proper training session. Abahani’s AFC Challenge League squad is due in tomorrow, while Bashundhara Kings’ contingent will join the day after. In all, five players are expected from Abahani and 10 from Kings.

Jamal Bhuyan, the captain, has asked for an extra day before joining. Cabrera, however, insisted on starting camp with whoever was available, arguing it would help players work on gym and fitness routines while waiting for the rest to arrive.