BAN vs IND Test: Mushfiqur & Taskin returns, Zakir earns a maiden Call-up

BAN vs IND Test: Bangladesh announces Squad for the first Test against India & the stalwarts of the Bangladesh team have returned to the set-up. Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali & Taskin Ahmed have been called-up to the Test squad. While Bangladesh called up uncapped player Zakir Hasan to the 17-member squad on the back of his spell-bounding performances for Bangladesh A team against India A team.

For the unversed, Mushfiqur Rahim missed Bangladesh’s previous Test series against West Indies as he went for Hajj while Yasir & Taskin missed the series due to an injury. However, all three are now available for selection in the first Test. Meanwhile, Zakir Hasan who turned the heads around by scoring 173 for the Bangladesh A team in their four-day fixture against the India A team last week has earned a call-up to the National team on the basis of his mettle.

It was his onslaught with the bat which helped Bangladesh to draw the fixture despite losing nine wickets & standing on the verge of an innings defeat. Notably, he was also the highest run scorer in Bangladesh’s first-class competition named the National cricket league by scoring 442 at an average of 56.25.

Tamim Iqbal will stay out of Action for a few more days

Tamim Iqbal who missed the ODI series against India due to a groin injury would continue to be out of action. Adding to the list of unavailable players are Mosaddek Hossain & Mustafizur Rahman who are excluded from the Test squad. Tamim is still recovering & he could attain complete fitness, not before December 20 which makes him doubtful for the second Test beginning on December 22 in Mirpur. The return of Mushfiqur, Taskin & Yasir would further bolster Bangladesh’s Test squad. Bangladesh opted to go with three spinners in face of Mehidy, Shakib, Miraz & Islam & five fast bowlers.

This series is crucial for India in terms of qualifying for the WTC Final while Bangladesh who is out of the WTC Finals race will try to play a spoilsport in India’s dream of qualifying. The first Test will be played on 14^th December in Chattogram followed by the second Test in Dhaka on December 22.

BAN vs IND Test: Bangladesh squad

Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (capt),  Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed,  Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Anamul Haque