Austraslia Test Series
Australia Series: New face pacer Mushfiq in Bangladesh squad
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Bangladesh's pace bowling department is in turmoil due to injury setbacks. With regulars sidelined, the team management had to look for a new face. Fortunately, Bangladesh's pace pipeline had a bowler ready—though he is completely uncapped. The BCB has announced the squad for the first Test against Australia, keeping this new face, pacer Mushfiq Hasan, in the team.
Due to injury, Shoriful Islam was naturally left out of the first Test squad. As a result, there will be no left-arm pacer for the Darwin Test against the Aussies. The Bangladesh pace attack will thus lack variety in the first Test.
With both Nahid Rana and Shoriful—the two pacers from the best XI—missing, Ebadot Hossain has been recalled from his leave. Although Mushfiq has been included in the squad, it is unlikely he will be handed a Test cap against Australia straight away.
In the batting department, with Liton Das unavailable for the first Test, Jaker Ali Anik has been included in the squad. He will serve as the backup wicketkeeper-batter. Amit Hasan, who played in the Zimbabwe Test, could also play in this position.
Another familiar face missing from the regular Test squad is opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy. In his place, the selectors have considered Soumya Sarkar. With Joy out, Tanzid Tamim is expected to open in the first Test.
Ahead of the Test series against Australia, the Bangladesh team will leave the country on 31 July. From 6 to 8 August, Najmul Hossain Shanto and his men will play a three-day match against Cricket Australia XI. The first Test of the series will be held on 13 August at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. The second Test will take place on 22 August at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
First Test Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Sadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque Sourav, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amit Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Mushfiq Hasan.
