Taskin, Mushfiqur return for Pakistan Tests

Taskin Ahmed is back in Bangladesh’s Test setup for the two-match series in Pakistan, starting on August 21 in Rawalpindi. The right-arm paceman took a break from red-ball cricket to focus on recovery from a shoulder injury and hasn’t played a Test since July 2023.

Taskin has featured in 13 Tests so far, having claimed 30 wickets at an average of 51.50. "We have selected five pacers, mindful of the fact that Taskin Ahmed will only play the second Test,” Cricbuzz quoted chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain as saying.

“He hasn't bowled in a Test since June last year and we have decided to include him in the 'A' team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to get him into the rhythm for longer version matches.

"Also, a couple of the pacers may join the A Team for the one-day matches, so we needed backups. Our attack has variety with bowlers who can bowl fast and also swing the ball and I am really looking forward to seeing them perform against world-class batters.”

Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a thumb injury, is also back. However, Shahadat Hossain has been dropped from the squad that took on Sri Lanka in March. Shakib Al Hasan is also part of the team, with the left-arm spinner currently in Canada, playing Global T20 Canada. 

"The emphasis was on picking our best players for this version. This is a well-balanced squad. The likes of Mushfiqur (Rahim), Mominul (Haque) and Shakib (Al Hasan) have played 216 matches combined and there is no substitute for that kind of experience,” said Hossain.

“Taijul (Islam) and Miraz (Mehidy Hasan) have been leading the spin department for a long time and have over 350 wickets between them. We also expect Shanto (Najmul Hossain), Litton ( Das) and the other batsmen to step up because to be competitive against Pakistan, we will need a team effort."

Talking about getting an extra day to prepare for the series, Hossain said: “Pakistan are very tough opponents, especially in their home front and it will be a challenging tour for us. It is good that we will get additional time to prepare in Lahore. Also, some players who are in Pakistan already with the Bangladesh A side, will join the national team for the Test series. Their experience of the conditions should come in handy."

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 before the action shifts to Karachi for the second Test (August 30-September 3).

Squad - Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed.

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