Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed Return to the Bangladesh Test Squad for the Pakistan Series

Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed have rejoined the Bangladesh Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan later this month. However, batter Shahadat Hossain has been left out of the team that last played against Sri Lanka in March.

Mushfiqur missed the Sri Lanka series due to a thumb injury, while Taskin took a break from red-ball cricket to manage a shoulder injury. Taskin will be available only for the second Test in Karachi, starting on August 30, but he will also play the second four-day game for Bangladesh A on August 20.

Senior all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also included in the squad after making himself available for selection last month. Shakib, who is no longer a member of parliament following the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5, will be a key player to watch. Six players from the Test squad arrived in Pakistan on Saturday as part of the Bangladesh A side. Among them are Mushfiqur and Mominul, who are set to play the first four-day game in Islamabad starting on August 13.

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain highlighted the importance of selecting the best players for the Test format. He highlighted the experience of Mushfiqur, Mominul, and Shakib, who have played a combined total of 216 matches. Ashraf also mentioned that Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who have been leading the spin attack with over 350 wickets between them, will be crucial. He expects batsmen like Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das to step up, noting that a team effort will be necessary to compete against Pakistan.

Taskin last played a Test in June 2023, during the series against Afghanistan at home. Although he participated in the T20 World Cup and the Lanka Premier League, Ashraf explained that Bangladesh wants to ease Taskin back into the longer format. 

"We selected five pacers, keeping in mind that Taskin will only play the second Test," Ashraf said. "He hasn't bowled in a Test since June last year, so we've included him in the A-Team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to help him regain his rhythm for longer matches. We also needed backups, as some pacers might join the A team for the one-day matches. Our bowling attack has variety, with fast bowlers and those who can swing the ball, and I look forward to seeing them perform against world-class batsmen."

Ashraf also expressed his satisfaction with the additional training days Bangladesh will have in Pakistan.

"Pakistan is a tough opponent, especially at home, so this tour will be challenging for us," Ashraf said. "It's beneficial that we'll have extra time to prepare in Lahore. Additionally, some players who are already in Pakistan with the Bangladesh A side will join the national team for the Test series. Their experience with the conditions will be valuable."

The first Test is scheduled to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi, followed by the second Test in Karachi on August 30. The squad will train at Gaddafi Stadium from August 14 to 16 before travelling to Islamabad on August 17 in preparation for the first Test.

Bangladesh Test Squad:

- Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)

- Mahmudul Hasan Joy

- Zakir Hasan

- Shadman Islam

- Mominul Haque

- Mushfiqur Rahim

- Shakib Al Hasan

- Litton Das

- Mehidy Hasan Miraz

- Taijul Islam

- Nayeem Hasan

- Nahid Rana

- Shoriful Islam

- Hasan Mahmud

- Taskin Ahmed

- Khaled Ahmed