Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the 15-member final squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan overlooking Mustafizur Rahman but including pacer Taskin Ahmed, reports UNB.
Another pacer Khaled Ahmed, who is suffering from injuries, has been overlooked. Tamim Iqbal is on a break after a disastrous Sri Lanka tour.
Shakib Al Hasan will lead the Tigers in this Test.
“Mustafizur injured his back during the conditioning camp. We decided not to take any risks. After this Test, we’ll play a T20 series and India tour is also coming up,” chief selector Minhazul Abedin Nannu told reporters.
The Test begins on September 5 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Imrul Kayes, who could have opened the innings in Tamim’s absence, has opted not to play because of his son’s illness.
“His son is being treated for dengue at a hospital and so, he’s unable to play. But we’ve backup openers Liton and Soumya,” Minhajul added.
The chief selector said that Taskin was in the squad during Bangladesh’s last New Zealand tour. But he missed the games due to an injury. “He’s recovered now and did well for BCB XI in India. So we think he’s ready to do well,” he said.
Bangladesh included two specialist spinners - Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul - and three pacers- Taskin, Abu Jayed Rahi and Ebadot Hossain – in the squad.
Bangladesh Test squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumer Das, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed Rahi, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain.