Hamza Choudhury, the biggest name in Bangladesh football, spent a busy day in Dhaka on Wednesday

Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan believes midfielder Hamza Choudhury will get goosebumps when he listens to the national anthem being played prior to his debut match against India in Shillong on March 25.

Even as Hamza Choudhury remained confined within his ancestral home in Habiganj for most of yesterday before joining the national team camp in Dhaka in the night, the Sheffield United midfielder remained at the heart of the plans of the team and the expectations of the football aficionados of the country.

Cabrera, who had a meeting with Hamza in Dhaka tonight, revealed that the entire squad was eager to welcome him and start preparing for the crucial clash against India.

Hamza Chowdhury distributed Eid gifts to the underprivileged in his native village of Snanaghat in Habiganj today.

“It feels incredible. My heart is pumped,” Hamza told the media in front of Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Monday, his words barely audible over the deafening chants of his name.

In another exciting reveal, Hamza announced that he would wear the No.8 jersey for Bangladesh.

Word of his visit had drawn thousands of eager locals who lined the streets, hoping for a glimpse of the footballer.

Hamza Choudhury was overwhelmed by his ‘long time coming’ homecoming to Bangladesh and said he is optimistic about starting his Bangladesh career with a win over India.

Hamza Choudhury has landed at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Monday morning and is heading towards his ancestral village Snanghat of Bahubal Upazila, Habiganj for a long-awaited homecoming.

Excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high in Snanghat village of Bahubal Upazila, Habiganj, as English footballer of Bangladeshi origin, Hamza Choudhury, prepares for a historic visit.

Rahmatganj right-back Mohammad Taj Uddin said he was eager to play alongside Sheffield United’s Hamza Choudhury and looked forward to talking with Hamza in Sylheti. 

National team forward Mohammad Ibrahim said all the players are eager for a place in the starting eleven, particularly because the opposition is India, as the men in red and green continue to ramp up preparations in training for their Asian Cup Qualifiers match on March 25 against their neighbours.  

The men in red and green are expected to fly out to India on March 19, a day after Hamza Chowdhury is expected to join the team in Dhaka.

Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury has been named alongside Italy-based young midfielder Fahamedul Islam in the 38-member preliminary squad for Bangladesh’s first Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India, which will be held in Shilong on March 25.

The midfielder, who recently declared to play for Bangladesh the country of his mother’s birth, follows striker Tom Cannon to Bramall Lane as Leicester free up funds to add to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s squad before the end of the transfer window.

Bangladesh national team coach Javier Cabrera believes the inclusion of Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury will increase the standard of the team in coming days.

Bangladesh national football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan said it would be a proud moment for the country to see Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury put on a red and green jersey, but wants to see more players like Hamza playing in the Bangladesh ranks.

The phenomenon of expatriate footballers seeking to represent the national team is not new for Bangladesh, though.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury has hoped that his decision to switch allegiance from England to Bangladesh will open up avenues for Bangladeshi players to play in European leagues.