In a strategic move ahead of their upcoming Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh has unveiled a 16-member squad which features the return of two key players—star pacer Taskin Ahmed and veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim. The highly-anticipated series is set to commence on August 21, 2023.
Taskin Ahmed, who last donned the whites for Bangladesh in June 2023 against Afghanistan, has been battling a persistent shoulder injury. Following his last appearance, he took a hiatus from the longest format of the game to focus on recovery. Mushfiqur Rahim, another cornerstone of Bangladesh’s Test framework, missed the home series against Sri Lanka but participated in the New Zealand series.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the national selector for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), provided deeper insights into the composition of the squad. “We’ve intentionally selected five pacers, keeping in mind that Taskin Ahmed will only participate in the second Test. He hasn’t bowled in a Test since June last year, and we’ve decided to include him in the ‘A’ team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to help him regain his rhythm for longer-format matches,” Hossain elaborated.
Furthermore, Hossain underscored the need for backup options. “A couple of our pacers might join the A Team for the one-day matches, so we had to prepare alternatives. Our bowling attack has great variety, with bowlers capable of delivering pace and swing. I’m eager to see how they perform against Pakistan’s world-class batting lineup,” he added.
The selectors have also opted for all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam. “We emphasized on picking our best players for the Test series. This squad boasts a balanced mix of experience and young talent. Mushfiqur, Mominul Haque, and Shakib together have 216 matches under their belts, a level of experience that’s irreplaceable,” Hossain said.
In the spin department, Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have been consistent performers, pooling together over 350 Test wickets. Hossain expressed confidence in the team’s batting lineup as well, highlighting the roles of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Kumar Das, and other emerging talents. “To compete effectively against Pakistan, we’ll need a cohesive team effort, especially from our batsmen,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s A team is already entrenched in Pakistan for a series of two four-day games and three one-day matches. “Pakistan is an exceptionally tough opponent, especially on home soil, making this a challenging tour for us. Our early arrival in Lahore for additional preparation is crucial. Additionally, some players already part of the A side in Pakistan will join the national squad for the Test series. Their on-ground experience will be invaluable,” Hossain added.
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Adding further context, the Bangladesh squad will be heading to Pakistan on August 12 to acclimate themselves to the conditions. The series will kick off in Rawalpindi on August 21, with the second match scheduled to begin on August 30 in Karachi.
Here is the complete squad for the Test series:
1. Najmul Hossain Shanto (C)
2. Mahmudul Hasan Joy
3. Zakir Hasan
4. Shadman Islam
5. Mominul Haque
6. Mushfiqur Rahim
7. Shakib Al Hasan
8. Litton Kumar Das
9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
10. Taijul Islam
11. Nayeem Hasan
12. Nahid Rana
13. Shoriful Islam
14. Hasan Mahmud
15. Taskin Ahmed
16. Syed Khaled Ahmed
The inclusion of Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim adds a potent blend of pace and experience to the squad, fuelling hopes for an intriguing contest against a formidable Pakistani side. Taskin’s return will be closely watched as he aims to regain his form, while Mushfiqur’s steady presence is expected to fortify the middle order. As the Bangla Tigers gear up to face Pakistan, fans and analysts alike are gearing up for what promises to be an enthralling series.
This two-match faceoff will test the mettle of the Bangladeshi players, demanding a collective effort to overcome the challenges posed by their hosts. The cricketing world will surely be tuning in to see how Bangladesh performs under these testing circumstances.
