Jubair and Shakib in Bangladesh Test squad

Cricket365
October 23, 2014

The uncapped Jubair Hossain has been named in Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe, which will get underway in Dhaka on Saturday.

Leg-spinner Hossain has only played two first-class matches, but is expected to be named in the playing XI for the key series opener.

Seamer Shahadat Hossain and batsman Marshall Ayub have been recalled – and veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has returned from a brief ban.

Spinner Sohag Gazi, who has been suspended from bowling in international cricket due to an illegitimate arm action, was excluded. The Bangladesh Cricket Board, earlier this week, declared batsman Anamul Haque and all-rounder Nasir Hossain unavailable.

“With Sohag not available due to suspension we felt we needed a bit of variation in our bowling and that is why Jubair is in the squad,” said Chief selector Faruque Ahmed.

“He is a bright young prospect and if he is to play then it is always good to start at home. He has the talent in a difficult art and gives the side an interesting option despite his inexperience.

The spin bowling department is always important on our pitches and apart from the leg-spinner we have two specialist left-arm spinners and the off-breaks of Shuvagata Hom and Mohammad Mahmudullah.”

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal (vice-captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Al-Amin Hossain, Taijul Islam.