Mahmudullah dropped, Mushfiqur Rahim returns for Zimbabwe Test
Bangladesh have dropped Mahmudullah from the squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe next week. The likes of Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain and Soumya Sarkar have also been axed. Besides, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have made their comebacks. Seamer Hasan Mahmud and batsman Yasir Ali have also earned their maiden Test call-ups. Here's more.
Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (c), Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Yasir Ali
Mahmudullah has been undergoing a lean patch in Test cricket as he has scored only 332 runs in last ten innings, which also included a century against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2019. He has been reportedly asked to focus on the limited overs format. "We felt that Mahmudullah needed a break from the red ball," chief selector Minhajul Abedin suggested.
Hasan Mahmud and Yasir Ali have constantly grabbed eyeballs with their skill and talent. While middle order batsman Yasir averaged 60.28 in five first-class games in the last 12 months, Mahmud's selection is purely based on his potential. "We think Hasan Mahmud and Yasir Ali Chowdhury have tremendous potential and they are very much part of our future plans," Abedin said.
Bangladesh's premium wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim has made his return to the squad after opting out of the Pakistan tour, owing to security reasons. Mehidy and Taskin have also been recalled after they recovered from their respective injuries. Following a number of speculations over Mustafizur's technical frailties in the longest format, the left arm seamer has also secured a place in the squad.
Bangladesh were all hands down during the Pakistan tour wherein they lost two T20Is and one Test. They will eye a comfortable win against Zimbabwe in the one-off Test at Dhaka. The tour will commence with a two-day practice match, followed by the Test, commencing on February 22. The two sides will then play three ODIs and two T20Is from March 1.
