Fresh blood in Test squad

Batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy and pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja were the two new faces as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selectors announced a 16-member squad for the first of the two-match Test series against Pakistan yesterday.

The selectors also included premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad.

However, Shakib's participation in the first Test, starting from November 26 in Chattogram, will depend on his fitness as the star all-rounder is recovering from a hamstring injury that he sustained during the Tigers' third Super 12 game of the ICC T20 World Cup against West Indies which eventually forced him out of the flagship event with two games remaining. 

Member of the Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup-winning squad Joy has been in fine touch recently. He struck consecutive hundreds in the ongoing National Cricket League for Chattogram Division. Raja, on the other hand, has been rewarded for his consistent performance in the first-class circuit as the pacer from Sylhet picked up 33 wickets in his first ten first-class games so far.

"It is still early days for him but Mahmudul has shown good temperament for the longer version. He is also an in-form batsman," chief selector Minhajul Abedin was quoted as explaining the inclusion of Joy in the squad in a press release yesterday.

"With injury concerns to 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," Minhajul added.

Rejaur Rahman Raja

Batter Yasir Ali, who was part of the last Test squad that played in Zimbabwe, is the third uncapped player in the 16-member Bangladesh squad while Mahmudullah Riyad, after unofficially retiring from the longest format in Zimbabwe, was not named in the squad.

Minhajul remained confident regarding the balance of the team that has a blend of both youth and experience and is looking forward to playing competitive cricket against Pakistan.

"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.