Ahead of the two-match Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced 15-man squad for the first Test starting November 26. Interestingly, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim are back in the side after their omission from the three-match T20I series against Pakistan at home. Especially, Rahim’s selection was in doubt after he had targetted Bangladesh selection panel for his exclusion from the limited-overs series which Mahmudullah-led Bangladesh lost by 0-3.
Moreover, Bangladesh chief selector, Minhajul Abedin has said that they will assess Shakib’s fitness before including him in the playing XI. Shakib was injured during the T20 World Cup 2021 and was ruled out during the Super-12 stage.
“We will obviously have to wait and see if Shakib makes it for the first test but the players who are in the squad have been the most consistent performers for us in tests and their presence can make a difference,” Minhajul told in a media release.
The prolific opener Tamim Iqbal will miss the Test series due to injury and Bangladesh have added uncapped duo Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Rejaur Rahman Raja to the squad.
“It is still early days for him but Mahmudul has shown good temperament for the longer version,” the chief selector asserted.
“He is also an in-form batsman. With injury concerns to Taskin and Shoriful, we needed to keep our pace bowling options open and Raja got the nod. We have been monitoring his performances in first-class competitions. He is strong and energetic and has a knack for taking wickets,” Abedin added.
Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Abu Jayed Rahi, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shakib Al Hasan
