DHAKA: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan returned to the national side with selectors naming a 16-man squad Sunday for the first Test of two-match series against Sri Lanka next month.

Shakib was part of Bangladesh’s One-day International squad during the recent tour of South Africa, with a 2-1 victory giving the visitors their first ever series win in that country.

He missed the Test series against the Proteas because of a family emergency.

The 35-year-old, who is also Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, returned to action this week with the domestic Dhaka Premier League.

Opener Shadman Islam, who made just nine runs in his sole South Africa Test, made the way for Shakib. The home side also left out fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for injury and added uncapped pacer Rejaur Rahman.

“Taskin has an injury problem. He can come to the squad for the second Test provided he recovers sufficiently,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin told AFP.

Shoriful Islam was also included in the side, subject to a fitness test that Minhajul was optimistic the pace bowler would pass.

Sri Lanka will arrive in Bangladesh on May 8 and the first Test will begin at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on May 15.

Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium will host the second Test from May 23.

Squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Quazi Nurul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Desperate measures
Updated 27 Dec, 2024

Desperate measures

Sadly in Pakistan, street protests and sit-ins have become the only resort to catch the attention of a callous power elite.
Economic outlook
27 Dec, 2024

Economic outlook

THE post-pandemic years, marked by extreme volatility in the global oil and commodity markets as well as slowing...
Cricket and visas
27 Dec, 2024

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not...
Afghan strikes
Updated 26 Dec, 2024

Afghan strikes

The military option has been employed by the govt apparently to signal its unhappiness over the state of affairs with Afghanistan.
Revamping tax policy
26 Dec, 2024

Revamping tax policy

THE tax bureaucracy appears to have convinced the government that it can boost revenues simply by taking harsher...
Betraying women voters
26 Dec, 2024

Betraying women voters

THE ECP’s recent pledge to eliminate the gender gap among voters falls flat in the face of troubling revelations...