Dhaka: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan which begins on Tuesday (28 April) at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.

There was a first call up to the Test fold for right-arm pace bowler Mohammad Shahid and batsmen Liton Kumar Das and Soumya Sarkar.

Chairman of BCB National selection panel Faruque Ahmed said the squad had good balance and experience: ‘The newcomers are deserving of their spots through performances in domestic and international cricket. Shahid is a strong lad capable of bowling long spells and he has been a consistent performer in first class games while Liton scored heavily in the last couple of seasons and Soumya Sarkar has started strongly in the just concluded ODI series.  

He (Soumya) may not bat in the same position if he gets picked but he can give us a lot of depth in the batting order, said a BCB press release.  

‘We prefer to give players a reasonable run of games and Imrul Kayes keeps his place by virtue of his performance in the last Test series.’

‘Shahadat Hossain has bowled very well in the National Cricket League (NCL) and he has the experience. We consider Taijul as one of the best left-arm spin options for us in Tests and Zubaer Hossain's leg spin is a valuable addition to our attack.’

Squad: Tamim Iqbal (vice captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah, Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, Soumya Sarker, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain and Mohammad Shahid.