Bangladesh recall Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal for South Africa Tests

Bangladesh have brought back star performers Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal for their two-Test away series against South Africa starting March 31. While Shakib missed the recent Test series against New Zealand for personal reasons, Iqbal was out with multiple thumb injuries. The return of Shakib, one of the leading all-rounders of current times, was significant as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan had said that the 34-year-old would go to the tour of South Africa despite planning to skip the long format for six months.

‘Shakib should play SA Tests since he is not in IPL’

“Now that he is not going to the IPL (Indian Premier League), I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t play the Test series in South Africa,” Hassan had said on Monday, February 28. “So forget about it. This is no longer in my mind. The IPL was preventing him from playing [the two Test series], but now he will play [both series],” the BCB president added.

The left-arm star cricketer remained unsold in the mega IPL 2022 auction which was held in Bangalore last month.

Meanwhile, Fazle Mahmud and Mohammad Naim were dropped from the Bangladesh Test squad. Fazle had earlier earned his place in the side following his good show in domestic first-class cricket, Naim, who is more of a T20 specialist, made his debut in a Test match against the Kiwis in Christchurch recently but didn’t make much of an impression.

Bangladesh will play three one-day internationals against South Africa before the Tests. They picked the same one-day squad that recently beat Afghanistan 2-1 at home. Fast bowler Khaled Ahmed, who is yet to appear in a one-day match, is the only addition to the squad. He has played three Tests so far but managed to pick only one wicket. Iqbal will lead the side in the 50-over games.

The one-days in Centurion (March 18), Johannesburg (20) and Centurion (March 23) will be part of the World Cup Super League while the Tests (Durban, March 31-April 4 and Port Elizabeth, April 8-12) will be part of the World Test Championship.

Bangladesh Test squad for South Africa: Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicket-keeper), Yasir Ali, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Khaled Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Shadman Islam, Nurul Hasan

One-day squad: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Shoriful Islam, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Khaled Ahmed