Bangladesh have announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series against South Africa, with uncapped batter Mahfijul Islam earning his maiden Test call-up.
The 22-year-old has been rewarded for his impressive performances in the ongoing domestic first-class season. Mahfijul has scored a double century and a century across his last three matches in the National Cricket League, strengthening his case for selection.
According to the ICC, the right-handed batter has accumulated more than 1,000 runs in 19 first-class appearances at an average of 33.67.
The Bangladesh squad largely retains the combination currently featuring in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. However, pacer Khaled Ahmed has returned to the squad in place of Nayeem Hasan, with the team keeping the expected pace-friendly conditions in South Africa in mind.
Naim Sheikh returns, Shadman Islam ruled out
Opener Naim Sheikh has also earned a recall to Bangladesh’s Test squad. He last represented the country in the longest format in 2022, when he made his Test debut against New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Shadman Islam has been ruled out of the South Africa series after sustaining an ankle injury during the ongoing second Test against the West Indies. The opener was stretchered off the field after twisting his ankle while fielding.
Experienced batter Mominul Haque has also returned to the squad after missing the second Test against the West Indies. He was unavailable for the match after sustaining a head injury in the opening Test and subsequently undergoing the mandatory seven-day concussion protocol.
Bangladesh’s WTC campaign
Bangladesh are currently placed fifth in the World Test Championship standings and are trailing 1-0 in their ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies. The visitors also face a challenging task in the second Test, having been set a target of 369 runs in the final innings.
The upcoming series against South Africa will provide Bangladesh with another opportunity to collect valuable WTC points and improve their position in the standings.
Bangladesh squad for South Africa test series
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed and Mahfijul Islam.
