Shadman’s ‘second debut’

Having returned to the Bangladesh squad for the one-off Test against Ireland after getting sidelined for almost a year, opener Shadman Islam is geared up for a fresh start.

"It really felt great … I can compare my feeling with the debut Test match. I'm excited as I returned to the Test side again after a long break. Now I want to make a new start," said Shadman, who was included in the 14-member squad announced yesterday.

Opener Tamim Iqbal made his return to the Test side as expected but the injury of Zakir Hasan -- who made a debut hundred against India in the last home series in December last year -- paved the way for 27-year-old Shadman, who missed the Tigers' last three series -- against Sri Lanka, West Indies and India -- after playing his last Test in South Africa in March-April last year.

SQUAD Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Liton Das (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, and Shoriful Islam.

"I knew the time would come for me. I worked really hard to get back my rhythm in the domestic competitions and now I'm ready to take the new challenge," said Shadman, who so far played 13 Tests with an average of 23.29 since making debut against the West Indies in 2018.

The other notable inclusion in the team is pacer Shoriful Islam while Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali and Nasum Ahmed were axed from the squad that played against India.