Bangladesh Announces Squad for First Test Against South Africa

Bangladesh has announced its squad for the first Test against South Africa, starting on October 21 in Dhaka, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Wicket-keeper Zaker Ali Anik makes his Test debut. After a historic series win against Pakistan, the team aims for success in the ICC World Test Championship, with Phil Simmons as the new head coach until 2025.

Bangladesh has officially announced its squad for the initial Test match against South Africa, scheduled to commence on October 21 in Dhaka. The team will be captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto, marking a significant inclusion with wicket-keeper batter Zaker Ali Anik being summoned to the Test squad for the first time. This match forms part of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, with Bangladesh positioned seventh and South Africa fifth in the WTC25 rankings. The chosen squad comprises: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das (wk), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana. Earlier in August, Bangladesh achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a historic Test series victory against Pakistan, achieving a clean sweep of 2-0. However, this achievement was succeeded by a disappointing defeat at the hands of India during their away series. Recently, Phil Simmons was appointed as the head coach of the Bangladesh team, succeeding Sri Lankan Chandika Hathurusinghe, and will oversee the squad until the Champions Trophy in 2025. Following the completion of these two Test matches against South Africa, the Bangladesh team is scheduled to travel to the UAE for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

The announcement of Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test against South Africa highlights the team’s recent performances and strategic changes. With a combination of seasoned players and new talent like Zaker Ali Anik, this squad aims to build upon past successes, including a notable Test series win over Pakistan. The context of the ICC World Test Championship underscores the competitive nature of these matches, as rankings play a critical role in international cricket dynamics. Furthermore, with a new head coach at the helm, there is a renewed focus on enhancing team performance in upcoming series.

In summary, the Bangladesh cricket team, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto and featuring the debut of Zaker Ali Anik in the Test format, prepares for a challenging encounter against South Africa. With a strong historical victory over Pakistan and a new coaching structure under Phil Simmons, the team is poised for further success in the ICC World Test Championship. The upcoming matches will be crucial for Bangladesh as they seek to improve their standing and performance in international cricket.

Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com