Three Players Recalled By Bangladesh For Sri Lanka Tests

Three Players Recalled By Bangladesh For Sri Lanka Tests

Jahurul Islam last played a Test in 2010.

©Action Images / Ed Sykes

Bangladesh have named their 15-man Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, which begins with a warm-up match in Matara on 3rd March. Shakib Al Hasan’s exclusion due to injury is the big news, although there are recalls for Jahurul Islam, Robiul Islam and Enamul Haque jnr and a maiden Test call-up for Mominul Haque.

Junaid Siddique and Nazimuddin, who were both part of the squad for the Tests against the West Indies, are dropped and were not even included in the preliminary squad announced on 18th February.

According to chief selector Akram Khan, both Enamul and Mominul are replacements for the injured Shakib. "This was a tough selection, because we had to pick two players to replace Shakib," Akram said. "Enamul won the left-arm spinner's position ahead of Mosharraf Hossain and Saqlain Sajib. He is in form and has Test experience. Mominul was also a tough call but we need a left-hander in the middle order, so Marshall Ayub, despite his two double-hundreds, misses out."

Robiul sees off competition from Shafiul Islam and will battle for a place in the pace attack with Shahadat Hossain and Abul Hasan. Khan admitted that there were concerns over the formation of the pace attack, saying, "Robiul has trained in the National Cricket Academy during the BPL and he has played in the BCL. But we are not sure about Shafiul Islam, and in general we are facing a challenge to form a pace attack.”

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Anamul Haque, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Enamul Haque, Jahurul Islam, Mominul Haque, Shahadat Hossain, Robiul Islam.

© Cricket World 2013