Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam has received a maiden call up in the Bangladesh Test team in less than 24 hours before the first Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence. Islam is just 19 years old and the tourists have added him to the squad as they are looking to play a ‘pace-dependent bowling attack’ as per the skipper Mominul Haque.
"I think our batting and pace bowling will be crucial. The pace bowlers with experience and those who are playing regularly, like [Abu Jayed] Rahi, Ebadat [Hossain], and Taskin [Ahmed] are more dependable. We will have a pace-dependent bowling attack but it doesn't mean we will lose the sting in our bowling,” Haque said in the pre-match press conference.
Islam burst onto the scenes after a brilliant campaign for Bangladesh in the ICC Under-19 World Cup last year. He scalped nine wickets at an average of 15.77.
Islam’s addition to the squad can also be seen as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahaman who is representing the Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. Along with him, Bangladesh will also miss the experience of Shakib Al Hasan who is playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
The first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is scheduled to start on April 21 at Pallekelle in Kandy which will also host the second and final Test of the series from April 29.