Mushfiqur Rahim has been left out of the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies due to a finger injury. Their absence means Bangladesh will participate in a Test series for the first time in 16 years without Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal or Mushfiqur in the team.
Mushfiqur, a veteran of 94 Tests, was also suffering from a shoulder injury since the Pakistan Test series in August. He suffered a finger injury during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah last weeks. Tamim has not played a Test since last year, while Shakib had announced his retirement in Kanpur in September, although he was unable to play his much-awaited farewell Test in Dhaka last month.
Bangladesh have also left out Khaled Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan but will welcome Litton Das back after the wicketkeeper-batsman missed the second Test against South Africa in Chattogram and the three ODIs against Afghanistan due to fever.
Najmul Hossain Shanto remains captain of Bangladesh despite wanting to leave the position during the South Africa series. Shanto will have a high-paced attack at his disposal, including Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.
Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has been added to the spin department that includes vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
Bangladesh have kept faith in their regular top-order batsmen Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan. Shanto and Mominul Haque will bat at 3 and 4 respectively. Mushfiqur’s role could fall to Jaker Ali or Mahidul Islam Ankon, with Litton back with the gloves and likely batting at number 7.
Bangladesh will begin the tour with a four-day warm-up match at the Coolidge cricket Ground in Antigua, followed by the first Test in Antigua from November 22. The second test will be in Jamaica, starting on November 30. The visitors will then play three ODIs and as many T20Is, but their white-ball team is yet to be announced.
Bangladesh Test Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad
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