Tanzim gets maiden call

Bangladesh's white-ball pace sensation Tanzim Hasan Sakib earned his maiden Test call with selectors announcing on Tuesday the 15-member squad for first of two home Tests against Zimbabwe, report agencies.
Sakib, 22, replaces veteran Taskin Ahmed, 30, whose return to active cricket remains uncertain after an injury to his left Achilles tendon.
Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) Senior Physician Dr. Debashis Chowdhury confirmed that the pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a left Achilles tendon issue and has not been deemed fit for the series.
Bangladesh, a formidable opponent on slow and spin-friendly home pitches, will take on the visitors in Sylhet and Chattogram, with the first match starting on April 20.
Sakib has already played 28 white-ball games for the national team and chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said that he "showed his potential".
"He has pace, he has the ability to take wickets that opened the door for him to this set-up," Hossain added.
"We have formed the team with the best possible players."
The home team will be led by seasoned Najmul Hossain Shanto, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz his deputy.
The only other notable absentee from
the national squad is aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who will be playing Pakistan Super League T20 tournament at the time.

"It's important for us to do well in Tests, especially on home turf. We failed to do well last year against Sri Lanka and South Africa," Hossain said.
The BCB has also given a break to Litton to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He is part of Karachi Kings in the league which begins on April 11.
Taskin and Litton were part of the two-Test series against West Indies, which was Bangladesh's last Test assignment in late November 2024. Those returning to the side include regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the Tests against West Indies due to injuries.
Offspinner Nayeem Hasan is also in the 15-member squad, apart from fast bowlers Khaled Ahmed and Tanzim. There was, however, no place for Shahadat Hossain and Shoriful Islam, who featured in the West Indies Tests, as well as Hasan Murad. Bangladesh are also monitoring Ebadot Hossain's progress, who has returned to competitive cricket this season after a long injury layoff. Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently retired from the ODI format following the Champions Trophy, continues to be a part of the red-ball setup.
The Bangladesh side will undertake a ten-day training camp in Sylhet ahead of the first Test.
The visitors from Harare will arrive in Dhaka on April 15.
The visitors from Harare will arrive in Dhaka on April 15.
The second and final Test opens on April 28.