Bangladesh have announced a 17-member squad for the first Test against India, starting on December 14 in Chattogram. Zakir Khan has been handed a maiden call-up in place of Tamim Iqbal, who is yet to recover from injury.
The southpaw has been in exceptional form in the domestic four-day competition. He was also named Player of the Match in the first unofficial Test against India A, having scored a 173 in the second innings to earn the hosts a draw. The wicketkeeper-batter followed it up with a 46 in the first innings of the ongoing second match.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has also made a return to the squad after missing the last red-ball assignment against the West Indies. Senior fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who missed the ODI series due to injury, is also available for selection for the first Test against India.
The first Test begins on December 14 in Chattogram followed by the second and final Test that will kickstart on December 22 in Dhaka. The hosts already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series.
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, and Anamul Haque Bijoy.
“We are awaiting the medical report for the second Test” – Bangladesh chief selector
Tamim Iqbal, who injured himself ahead of the ODIs against India, continues to remain on the sidelines. However, the selectors are still hopeful that the southpaw will be fit for selection for the second Test that gets underway on December 22. Hence, they have picked the squad only for the first Test.
“Our physio said he won’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 told Cricbuzz.
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