Dhaka: Bangladesh have made five changes to their squad for the first Test against Australia, recalling Soumia Sarkar after a five-year absence, while Jackar Ali and uncapped pacer Musfiq Hasan were included for the match in Darwin.
Soumya last featured in a Test against the West Indies in 2021, where he was dismissed for 0 and 13.
He returns alongside Jaker and Musbig, while vice-captain Mehidi Hasan Miraz and experienced pacer Taskin Ahmed were also recalled after being retired for a recent Test against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh have been forced into changes following injuries to Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Liton Das. Along with Taskin and Mehidi, the trio were instrumental in Bangladesh’s historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan in May.
Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been consistently backed by the selectors for the past two years but has omitted him. In his most recent Test match against Zimbabwe, he scored only 2 and 22 runs.
Reserve wicket-keeper Mahidul Islam, batsman Dawhid Hiridoi, off-spinner Naeem Hasan and uncapped seamer Robiul Haq were also left out of the squad.
When he was not in the Test team, Soumya scored three centuries in 27 first-class matches at an average of 44.47. However, his selection has raised questions as he has struggled in ODIs this year, averaging 21.42 in seven innings with one half-century.
Jaker’s return attracted attention after failing to bat in his only first-class appearance since his previous Test against Sri Lanka a year earlier.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has not featured in Bangladesh’s white-ball plans since last November, although he recently scored two half-centuries for Bangladesh A against Zimbabwe A.
Bangladesh selectors are set to address the media on Monday. The team will leave for Darwin on July 31 and play a practice match before the first Test starting on August 13.
Bangladesh squad for Australia’s first Test match
Najmul Hossain Santo (c), Soumia Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amit Hasan (WK), Jakar Ali (Wk), Mehidi Hasan Miraz (VC), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, E Khaled.
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