Bangladesh's Test team for the Sri Lanka series has been finalised and all that is left right now is an official declaration that will come in the form of a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the morning today.
The selectors and the chairman of cricket operations, Akram Khan, had a meeting yesterday afternoon and after that received the official approval required. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board was not ready to announce the team yesterday.
Akram though spoke to reporters at Mirpur following the meeting yesterday and provided insights into the 15-member squad that will be leaving for Sri Lanka on February 27.
The statements of the selectors in the last few days have almost confirmed one thing: Mustafizur Rahman is all set to return to Test cricket after a hiatus of more than a year. It is however not clear as to who he will be replacing from the squad for the Hyderabad Test.
At the moment, it seems Mustafizur may replace either Shubhashis Roy or Shafiul Islam. The other pacers in the side are Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Taskin Ahmed, who are likely to stay on. Abu Jayed, who was the 16th member of the squad that travelled to Hyderabad, and just played the warm-up game, may travel with the team to Sri Lanka as well in a similar capacity.
The other question that remains is whether Imrul Kayes can make it back into the squad. He is being observed by selectors in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League fixture. The only question with regards to the left-handed opener is whether his fitness levels are fine. Whether he can field and run easily is a big aspect that the selectors are focusing on.
Imrul did seem fit during his last game and if he is chosen he will replace Mosaddek Hossain.
