Dhaka:Opener Mohammad Naim Sheikh has returned to Bangladesh's Test squad after a four-year absence, while young opener Mahfijul Islam Robin has earned his maiden call-up. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahfijul has been in exceptional form in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), securing his first call-up to the national team across all formats. Naim is set to make his comeback after playing his only Test against New Zealand in 2022.
Both openers were selected due to their impressive performances in the ongoing NCL. Mahfijul has scored 672 runs in 10 innings at an average of 74.67, including three centuries, making him the competition's leading run-scorer. Naim follows closely with 612 runs from seven innings, also featuring three centuries.
The selectors decided to include additional opening options after Sadman Islam sprained his ankle during the ongoing second Test against the West Indies. Bangladesh had no specialist backup opener in the current squad, with Tanzid Hasan and Sadman playing in both Tests.
Amite Hasan, part of the squad for the second Test against the West Indies, was not selected this time. Chief selector Habibul Bashar explained that with Liton Das and Jaker Ali Anik in the squad, there was no need for another wicketkeeper-batter. The selectors preferred to strengthen the top-order options.
Bangladesh has included five pace bowlers for the South Africa tour Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, and Khaled Ahmed. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam are the only specialist spinners, while off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who played in both Tests against the West Indies, has been excluded.
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Johannesburg on November 15, with the second Test set to start in Centurion on November 23.
The squad includes Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Naim Sheikh, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumer Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Mahfijul Islam Robin.