Bangladesh has selected a squad of 16 players for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, with a notable emphasis on pace bowling. The team will feature five pacers, aiming to challenge the Pakistani batsmen on their home turf. However, one key bowler, Taskin Ahmed, will only be available for the second Test of the tour. Taskin, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s white-ball cricket, recently focused on limited-overs formats ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup. He also dealt with a shoulder injury. To regain match fitness for longer formats, Taskin will first participate in the Bangladesh A team’s tour of Pakistan, before rejoining the main squad. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain explained, “He hasn’t bowled in a test since June last year and we have decided to include him in the A team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to get him into the rhythm for longer version matches.”
Another notable inclusion in the squad is veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim. He will add to his impressive 88 Test appearances, taking the place of 22-year-old Shahadat Hossain, who made his Test debut last year. Hossain praised Rahim’s experience, stating, “The likes of Mushfiqur, Mominul (Haque) and Shakib (Al Hasan) have played 216 matches combined and there is no substitute for that kind of experience.”
Bangladesh is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday, earlier than the planned date, to hold practice sessions in Lahore. The first Test will commence in Rawalpindi on August 21, marking the start of this eagerly awaited series.
Bangladesh Squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed
