On Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced their 17-player squad for the two-match Test series against India, which will be hosted in Chattogram on December 14 and 22 respectively. Wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, batter Yasir Ali, and pacer Taskin Ahmed will return to the fold of the Test setup of the Bangladesh Test Squad.
"Our physio said he wouldn't be able to play in the first Test. But we are awaiting the medical report for the second Test. So, we've announced the squad for the opening Test," BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"As for Zakir we feel he is performing regularly in domestic cricket to earn a spot in the Test squad," Minhajul added.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Zakir Hasan has received a maiden call-up after a dominant first-class season and then his performance for Bangladesh A against India. The opener scored his 13th first-class century and faced 403 balls to score a brilliant 173 and prevent an innings loss for his team.
"Zakir has been on our radar for the last five years," Bangladesh's chief selector Minhajul Abedin said to ESPN Cricinfo.
"He was in the High-Performance unit for four years, and this season he was the highest scorer in first-class cricket. He played a good knock against India A last week. It saved the game. Selector Abdur Razzak, with the Bangladesh A side, witnessed the game and it seems Zakir is prepared for the highest level."
Hasan has been called up as a replacement for Tamim Iqbal, who will miss out on the opening game, having still not recovered from a groin injury that forced him to sit out the ODI series, and remains doubtful for the second encounter too.
Bangladesh squad for 1st Test
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hassan Shanto, Mominul Haque, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Litton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Anamul Haque Bijoy.
