Bangladesh Cricket Board has released the 15-member team for its first Test against Sri Lanka, which is set to take place on March 22 at Sylhet. The uncapped pacer, Nahid Rana, has been brought in as a new bowling option. Senior batter Litton Das has returned following his exclusion from the squad during the last Test series against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Mushfik Hasan has also been added to the lineup, as he was included in the Afghanistan Test series squad some weeks back. However, the wicket-keeper batter, Nurul Hasan, left-arm spinner, Hasan Morad, and pacer Hasan Mahmud have all been left out.
The trio was part of the last Test series against New Zealand. Abdur Razzak Razzak, a National Selection Panel member, backed the combination of the squad and labelled Nahid Rana as an exciting talent.
He further hinted that both Rana and Mushfik Hasan deserved some game time, as Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed were missing. After the first Test in Sylhet, another Test will be played in Chattogram on March 30. Both Test matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Litton Kumer Das, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Mushfik Hasan, Nahid Rana
