High on their triumphant tour of Pakistan where they registered a historic 2-0 whitewash of the hosts, Bangladesh have made a solitary change in the 16-member squad for the upcoming two Test series against India.

Najmul Shanto will lead the Tigers in the two Tests, a part of the current World Test Championship cycle, that begins September 19 in Chennai. Uncapped Jaker Ali is the lone new face in the squad that toured Pakistan, replacing injured pacer Shoriful Islam. Shoriful had suffered a groin injury during the first Test against Pakistan, and did not play the second. In his absence, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed will make up the visitors’ pace attack.

Advertisement

After announcing the squad, selector Hannan Sarkar said that it was Shoriful’s groin injury that kept him out of the side, and the extra batter was included keeping in mind the Indian conditions.

“Shoriful isn’t 100 per cent fit for Test matches. He would be required to bowl 15-20 overs so we didn’t want to take a risk. Shoriful missed the second Test against Pakistan due to his injury. The physios and trainers are looking after him. He remains within the system. He is an important member of our white-ball team. We have a T20 series coming up against India,” Sarkar said.

Explaining the reason behind opting for a batter in place of an injured pacer, Sarkar said, “We considered the conditions and opponents for this decision. We had taken five pacers in Pakistan, but we are taking four to India.”

Jaker had recently cracked 174 against Pakistan A in Islamabad, a reason that he has been preferred ahead of Shahadat Hossain, who has mostly been Bangladesh’s primary choice in the middle order in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan or Mushfiqur Rahman.

India’s home season will open with the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, followed by the second match in Kanpur from September 27.

The hosts have already announced a star-studded squad for the first Test, with Rohit Sharma and

Virat Kohli headlining the side. India are currently atop the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle standings with Bangladesh jumping up to the fourth spot after their wins in Pakistan.

India previously hosted Bangladesh during the 2019-20 season where they beat the visitors 2-0 in the Test series. The forthcoming Test series will also be followed by three T20Is in Gwalior, Delhi and Hyderabad.

Bangladesh squad for India Test series: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.