Taskin returns to Bangladesh Test squad

Taskin Ahmed last played a Test in September 2017 © Getty

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has been named in a 15-man Bangladesh squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Taskin, 24, made the last of his five Test appearances in September 2017 before a spate of injuries and loss of form pushed into the periphery. He replaces left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who is out with a back injury sustained at the conditioning camp.

"Mustafizur is slightly injured. We heard that during the conditioning camp. He was assessed yesterday. Because we have more Test matches ahead in the upcoming Test Championship and some T20 series and this is just one-off Test so we don't want to take any risk. He has pain in back. We did MRI but the report is still not in our hand," Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin said.

"Taskin had originally been picked for Bangladesh's last Test assignment, against New Zealand in February-March this year, but an ankle injury ruled him out of the series. He has since roared back into contention following an impressive show in Dr. K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament in Bengaluru, where he picked up seven wickets in the last two four-day games after bowling 73 overs in a demonstration of his improved fitness.

Tamim Iqbal, on a sabbatical to shrug off his workload and form concerns, continues to miss out along with Khaled Ahmed who has undergone an operation for his knee injury. Shakib Al Hasan, who missed that series in New Zealand, will take over the captaincy from Mahmudullah.

While Bangladesh have resisted the urge to bring in another specialist opener to cover for Tamim's abence, they have brought back middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain, who last played a Test in January 2018.

"We included an additional batsman because we had that plan. We usually take 14 players when we play at home. But because we don't have so many games at domestic level we have included one extra player. Because the weather condition is not so good any player could get injured anytime. So if the additional player remains with the team, he will be ready for any moment," Minhajul said.

The one-off Test, not part of the ongoing Test Championship, will be played from September 5 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain