Joy, Raja earn maiden call-ups

Batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy and pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja earned maiden call-ups as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today announced a 16-member squad for the first World Test Championship fixture against Pakistan which will start on November 26 in Chattogram. 

"It is still early days for him but Mahmudul has shown good temperament in the longer version. He is also an in-form batsman. With injury concerns to pacers Taskin [Ahmed] and Shoriful [Islam], we needed to keep our pace bowling options open and Raja got the nod.  We have been monitoring his performances in first-class competitions. He is strong and energetic and has a knack for taking wickets," chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the BCB. 

Joy has recently samshed two successive tons playing for Chattogram Division in the ongoing 23rd edition of the National Cricket League while Sylhet pacer Raja scalped 33 wickets in his first ten first-class matches for Sylhet Division and Islami Bank East Zone.

The BCB has also included Shakib Al Hasan in the squad but the all-rounder's participation is 'subject to being declared fit to play'. Shakib was ruled out of the squad midway through the T20 World Cup due to a hamstring injury earlier this month. 

"There is a fair bit of experience if you consider that Mominul [Haque], Mushfiqur [Rahim],  Shakib, Taijul [Islam] and  [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz are all part of the squad. We will obviously have to wait to see if Shakib makes it for the first Test but these players have been the most consistent performers for us in Tests and their presence can make a difference," Minhajul was quoted as saying in the press release regarding the balance of the side. 

BANGLADESH SQUAD FOR FIRST TEST

Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam,  Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shakib Al Hasan (subject to being declared fit to play)