Bangladesh announce squad for Pakistan Test series, Shakib Al Hasan included and Mushfiqur returns

Bangladesh has announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which starts on August 21.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed have returned to the Bangladesh Test squad for the upcoming two-match series, however, Shahadat Hossain has been excluded from the squad.

Mushfiqur had missed those matches due to a thumb injury, while Taskin took a break to manage his shoulder injury. Senior allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is also included in the squad after making himself available for selection last month. Najmul Hossain Shanto is set to lead the Tigers in Pakistan as they look to surmount a positive result in the away series.

Six players from the Test squad arrived in Pakistan on Saturday as part of the Bangladesh A side. Mushfiqur and Mominul are among them, set to play the first four-day game in Islamabad starting August 13.

The inclusion of Taskin Ahmed in the Test team is also another positive for Bangladesh as the pacer hasn't played in the red ball format since January.

"We have selected five pacers mindful of the fact that Taskin Ahmed will only play the second Test. He hasn't bowled in a Test since June last year, so we included him in the team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to get him into rhythm," BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Bangladesh is currently placed 8th in the ICC World Test Championship points table with a 25.0 PCT. The upcoming two matches against Pakistan will be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi. The Test series in Pakistan will be followed with a trip to India in September.

Bangladesh Test Squad vs Pakistan

Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed