Bangladesh announces squad; includes four uncapped players for first Test against Zimbabwe

Ariful Haque, Mohammed Mithun, Khaled Ahmed and Nazmul Islam are the four uncapped players who have been picked in the squad for the first Test

Bangladesh has announced its 15-member squad for the Test series against Zimbabwe. Ariful Haque, Mohammed Mithun, Khaled Ahmed and Nazmul Islam are the four uncapped players who have been picked in the squad for the first Test in Sylhet which begins on November 3. A series of two Test matches will be played between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

While Kamrul Islam, Rubel Hossain and Nurul Hasan have been dropped, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan will not be available for the team due to injury. It is believed that Injuries to key players is the reason why Bangladesh included new players in the 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe.

Chief selector, Minhajul Abedin said, “The team management was looking for a bowler who could bowl straight stump to stump, which is why we picked [Nazmul Islam] Apu”.

"We didn't consider [Abdur Razzak] Raj on current form and fitness. The management also wanted a batsman who could be a big-hitter at No 7 or 8 and who could also tackle the low bounce, which is why we decided on Ariful.” he added.

A disappointing performance in the Test series against West Indies by Kamrul and Rubel has made it possible for Khaled to attain a spot in the Test squad. The right-arm-fast bowler took a 10-wicket haul during Sylhet vs. Dhaka Metropolis match.

Bangladesh squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Khaled Ahmed, Nazmul Islam