Tigers name a new look Test squad

Spin-oriented team selected for Ctg ‘flat-wicket’

Bangladesh national team selectors made six changes to the Test squad from the team that played the last match 15 months ago as they declared the team for the first Test against England yesterday. 

It came as a surprise and at the same time substantiated the fact of how vulnerable and unsettled Bangladesh remains in the longer version format as of now. 
The first Test between the two teams is on October 20-24 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. 
Two players—fast bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi and all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraj—were drafted into the squad as fresh faces while four others—Shafiul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Sabbir Rahman and Nurul Hasan Sohan made their comeback to the national team. Sabbir remains a regular member in ODI and T20 squad while Sohan has already donned the national cap after making debut with T20 International against Zimbabwe this year.
Fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Shohid and Rubel Hossain, leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, wicket-keeper Liton Das, and all-rounder Nasir Hossain were the six that were the part of Bangladesh’s squad in their last Test series against South Africa in July 2015.
Of them, Mustafizur, Shohid and Liton were not considered for their injury while the others, according to the selectors, suddenly lost their form. 
Only two pacers were included into the team with one rookie while Shafiul played the last Test against Zimbabwe in November 2014, meaning the team management will go for spin-oriented attack unlike the Bangladesh in one-day and T20 International.
The team is boasted with four specialist spinners including Shakib Al Hasan, considered as the main weapon of Bangladesh in longer format. Mehedi Hasan Miraj, termed as the finest young player of the country ever has produced, made room earlier than anticipation but he would be treated as genuine off-spinner, said the selectors.
It was dream come true for the all-rounder who led Bangladesh Under-19 team to achieve their best result earlier this year. Shuvagata Hom, also an off-spinner like Miraj was included, considering that England has some left hand batsmen in the side. Taijul Islam, the left arm spinner remains the regular face in Test squad so he was retained. 
While the Bangladeshi pacers have lately earned the world respect in ODI cricket, most of them aren’t fit enough to make their case stronger in the Test circuit, leaving the country a shortage of proper Test fast bowlers.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu however clarified as to why they chose a spin-heavy side.
"We have taken two pace bowlers taking into account that Chittagong offers a flat pitch," Minhajul said. "We retained Shuvagata to tackle England's left-handed batsmen. We also took Mehedi Hasan Miraz as a specialist offspinner as we believe he has much to offer since his performance at the U19 level. We have taken Kamrul Islam Rabbi because he has done well in first-class tournaments. He has ability to bowl fast with the old ball."
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who is also part of the revamped selection committee, was excited by inclusions of Sabbir and Nurul.
"We will try to fit in Sabbir in the XI. Having a lot of options is a good headache to have. Nurul Hasan Sohan is one of the best wicketkeepers in the country," he said.
Bangladesh's Test squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vice-capt), Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan , Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Nurul Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Shuvagata Hom.

 

Tigers name a new look Test squad

Spin-oriented team selected for Ctg flat-wicket

Bangladesh national team selectors made six changes to the Test squad from the team that played the last match 15 months ago as they declared the team for the first Test against England yesterday. It came as a surprise and at the same time substantiated the fact of how vulnerable and unsettled Bangladesh remains in the longer version format as of now. The first Test between the two teams is on October 20-24 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Two playersfast bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi and all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Mirajwere drafted into the squad as fresh faces while four othersShafiul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Sabbir Rahman and Nurul Hasan Sohan made their comeback to the national team. Sabbir remains a regular member in ODI and T20 squad while Sohan has already donned the national cap after making debut with T20 International against Zimbabwe this year. Fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Shohid and Rubel Hossain, leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, wicket-keeper Liton Das, and all-rounder Nasir Hossain were the six that were the part of Bangladeshs squad in their last Test series against South Africa in July 2015. Of them, Mustafizur, Shohid and Liton were not considered for their injury while the others, according to the selectors, suddenly lost their form. Only two pacers were included into the team with one rookie while Shafiul played the last Test against Zimbabwe in November 2014, meaning the team management will go for spin-oriented attack unlike the Bangladesh in one-day and T20 International. The team is boasted with four specialist spinners including Shakib Al Hasan, considered as the main weapon of Bangladesh in longer format. Mehedi Hasan Miraj, termed as the finest young player of the country ever has produced, made room earlier than anticipation but he would be treated as genuine off-spinner, said the selectors. It was dream come true for the all-rounder who led Bangladesh Under-19 team to achieve their best result earlier this year. Shuvagata Hom, also an off-spinner like Miraj was included, considering that England has some left hand batsmen in the side. Taijul Islam, the left arm spinner remains the regular face in Test squad so he was retained. While the Bangladeshi pacers have lately earned the world respect in ODI cricket, most of them arent fit enough to make their case stronger in the Test circuit, leaving the country a shortage of proper Test fast bowlers. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu however clarified as to why they chose a spin-heavy side. We have taken two pace bowlers taking into account that Chittagong offers a flat pitch, Minhajul said. We retained Shuvagata to tackle Englands left-handed batsmen. We also took Mehedi Hasan Miraz as a specialist offspinner as we believe he has much to offer since his performance at the U19 level. We have taken Kamrul Islam Rabbi because he has done well in first-class tournaments. He has ability to bowl fast with the old ball. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who is also part of the revamped selection committee, was excited by inclusions of Sabbir and Nurul. We will try to fit in Sabbir in the XI. Having a lot of options is a good headache to have. Nurul Hasan Sohan is one of the best wicketkeepers in the country, he said. Bangladeshs Test squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal (vice-capt), Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan , Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Nurul Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Shuvagata Hom.