Bangladesh name 16-member squad for the first Test against Pakistan

After the exciting T20I battle, Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to face each other in the two-match Test series, starting November 26 in Chattogram.

The hosts were completely outplayed in the three-match T20I leg, completed on Monday, where Pakistan registered a full whitewash. The tourists would be hoping to replicate a similar display in the red-ball format as well.

On the other hand, Bangladesh would be hoping to bounce back and start the Test series on a high note. Ahead of the opening Test, Bangladesh have announced a 16-member squad on Tuesday. Mominul Haque will captain the side. Senior all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been picked in the squad, but his fitness will be assessed prior to the first Test.

Uncapped players Mahmudul Hasan and Rejaur Rahman have been named in the outfit. Mahmudul was picked on the grounds of his recent exploits in the domestic circuit, including two centuries in the ongoing National Cricket League. Similarly, Rejaur has so far taken 33 wickets in 10 matches to earn a spot in the national squad. Rejaur’s inclusion becomes crucial, especially in the absence of Taskin Ahmed, who got injured in the final T20I.

“It is still early days for him, but Mahmudul has showed good temperament for the longer version. He is also an in-form batsman. With injury concerns to Taskin (Ahmed) and Shoriful (Islam), 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,” said Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Minhajul Abedin, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“There is a fair bit of experience if you consider that Mominul (Haque), Mushfiqur (Rahim), Shakib, Taijul (Islam) and Miraz (Mehidy Hasan) are all part of the squad. We will obviously have to wait to see if Shakib makes it for the first Test, but these players have been the most consistent performers for us in Tests, and their presence can make a difference,” he added.

Here is the Bangladesh squad for the first Test:

Mominul Haque (c), Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shakib Al Hasan (subject to being declared fit to play)

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