No Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das As Bangladesh Announce Test Squad For NZ Series
Bangladesh last played a Test match back in June against AFG (x.com)
Najmul Hossain Shanto is set to lead Bangladesh team in their upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. The 25-year-old, who made his Test debut back in January 2017, will become the 13th cricketer in Bangladesh history to captain his nation in the format.
The first of the two Test matches is slated to commence on November 28 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh squad for NZ Tests confirmed
Najmul Hossain Shanto is set to lead a 15-player Bangladesh squad in their upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand at home. Senior man Litton Das, who led Bangladesh in their previous Test outing against Afghanistan earlier this year, decided to opt out of the series to spend time with his family.
The squad features three uncapped players, namely left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and top-order batter Shahadat Hossain Dipu.
Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim is the senior most member of the side, and he will be joined alongside the likes of other star attractions Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. Here is a look at Bangladesh’s entire 15-member squad for the home series against New Zealand:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shahadat Hossain Dipu and Hasan Morad.
The two-match series against New Zealand marks Bangladesh’s first set of international fixtures since their exit from the 2023 World Cup in India. Moreover, the matches also form a part of the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The first Test will be played between November 28 and December 2 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, while the series decider will be hosted by Dhaka’s iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.