Shuvagata, uncapped pace trio make way to SL series squad

DHAKA — The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 21-member preliminary squad for a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka today including three uncapped pacers—Mukidul Islam Mugdho, Shohidul Islam and Shoriful Islam. Along with them, Shuvagata Hom made a return to the national fold after five years while pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed was recalled after recovering from his knee injury.

Shuvagata who played his last match, donning national jersey in 2016, was considered as the replacement of Shakib Al Hasan, who skipped the Test series to play Indian Premier League (IPL).

“Shuvagata is coming back after a while but he has been a consistent performer in first class cricket,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said here today, explaining the inclusion of Shuvagata.

“We have considered him (Shuvagata) as a batting all-rounder but his off break is pretty handy also and gives us an option in the spin department.”

Amongst the three uncapped pacers, left-arm fast bowler Shoriful made his T20 International debut in New Zealand. Mukidul Mugdho and Shohidul have been impressive over the years, forcing the selectors to consider them in the fold.

Mugdho has of late claimed 12 wickets in a National Cricket League (NCL) match while Shohidul who got wickets in abundance also scored his maiden first class century.

The pacers are unlikely to be considered for the final 15-member squad, which will be announced after an inter-squad match in Sri Lanka. But the selectors kept the squad large, considering that they won’t get any net bowlers for their practice session.

“We have decided to take the preliminary squad to Sri Lanka as it would help our preparation and also give exposure to a number of players who are in our thinking for the longer version going forward,” Abedin said.

“The squad for the Test series will be announced after our inter-squad warm up game.”

“They (Shoriful, Mukidul and Shohidul) have been in our HP set up and have impressed in whichever version they have played in. Mukidul and Shohidul in particular, have caught the eye in domestic first class this season and are future Test prospects. They all have age on their side and are talented.”

The Bangladesh Team will leave Dhaka on 12 April for a two-Test series, which is the part of ICC World Test Championship.

Bangladesh team will be in mandatory three-day room quarantine from April 12-14 after arriving in Sri Lanka. They will have then quarantine training from April 15-16 after which they will play an inter-squad warm-up game from April 17-18.

The Tigers will train on April 19 and 20 before taking on Sri Lanka for first Test on April 21. The second and final Test starts on April 29. All of the two matches will be held in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Bangladesh will return to country on May 4.

Preliminary Squad: Mominul Haque, Liton Kumer Das, Md Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Mukidul Islam Mugdho, Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury, Shohidul Islam, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan.BSS