Bangladesh name 14-man squad for first Zimbabwe Test
Selectors sprang a surprise on Sunday when they included uncapped leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in Bangladesh’s 14-man squad for the first Test match against Zimbabwe.
The 19-year old prodigious bowler, hailed from Jamalpur, caught the attention of selectors only this year when he bowled Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal in a net session and was immediately drafted in the preliminary squad for the West Indies tour.
He was given his first competitive nod for the Bangladesh A team and against visiting Zimbabwe last month and the young bowler responded with 11 wickets in two four-day matches.
He also claimed five wickets in three limited over matches against the same team.
The absence of off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who is banned from bowling in international cricket for illegal action, has expedited his call up to the national team, said chief selector Faruk Ahmed.
‘With Sohag Gazi not available due to suspension we felt we needed a bit of variation in our bowling and that is why Jubair is in the squad,’ Faruk said in a statement.
‘He is a bright young prospect and if he is to play then it is always good to start at home.
‘He has the talent in a difficult art and gives the side an interesting option despite his inexperience
All-rounder Sakib al Hasan returned to the Test side after he missed the West Indies tour in September through suspension while batsman Marshall Ayub and pacer Shahadat Hossain also have been recalled.
Batsman Anamaul Haque, Nasir Hossain and left-arm spinner Elias Sunny, who have been included in the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI for Acharya Memorial Trophy in Kolkata, were inevitably dropped.
Paceman Robiul Islam also has been excluded to make way for Shahadat, who played his last Test against Sri Lanka in March 2013.
‘Shahadat adds valuable experience and we have been impressed by the work he has put in on his fitness and bowling during the last few months. He looks motivated and hungry,’ said Faruk.
Faruque also backed the right-hander Nasir to return to form after the batsman was dropped from the squad for the first time since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2011.
Nasir’s omission was not at all unexpected after the batsman last scored a fifty in Test against Zimbabwe in April 2013.
‘Nasir Hossain has missed out due to a combination of lack of form and consistency. I am sure he will be back but we still have depth in batting.’
The first Test will be held at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from October 25-29.
Zimbabwe will also play two more Tests and five one-day internationals during their six-week long tour.
SQUAD
Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Sakib al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shubhagata Hom, Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Al-Amin Hossain and Taijul Islam.
-With New Age input
