Dhaka: Opener Soumya Sarkar has been recalled to Bangladesh’s Test squad for the first time in over five years. Selectors have backed his domestic form and experience against pace in preparation for next month’s series in Australia.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Habibul Bashar, the chief selector of Bangladesh, highlighted the challenges faced due to injuries and the influence of the Bangladesh A team’s four-day series against South Africa Emerging on selection decisions. Soumya last played a Test against the West Indies in February 2021. He earned his recall after topping the National Cricket League, Bangladesh’s first-class domestic competition, with 633 runs in seven matches last season.
Bashar emphasized Soumya’s familiarity with the pace and bounce expected in Australian conditions. Meanwhile, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who has struggled with the bat, will join the Bangladesh A squad. His recent performances include only one fifty in six Test innings, with four ending in single-digit scores.
Towhid Hridoy has been left out after scoring 2 and 9 on his Test debut against Zimbabwe. Bashar mentioned that Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s return left little room for Hridoy in the playing XI, but he remains a part of Bangladesh’s long-term Test plans. Wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam will also feature for Bangladesh A, having missed the Australia squad.
Jaker Ali makes a return to the Test squad for the first time since June last year, with Bashar noting his regained form and confidence through the High Performance programme after a period of struggle. Bangladesh will commence their two-Test series against Australia in Darwin on August 13, with the second Test scheduled to begin in Mackay on August 22. Concurrently, the Bangladesh A side will face South Africa Emerging in four-day matches starting on August 16 and August 23.
The Bangladesh squad for the Australia series includes Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, and Musfik Hasan.