BD pick uncapped Nayeem Hasan for 1st Sri Lanka Test

Bangladesh called up on Friday 17-year old rookie off-spinner Naeem Hasan for the opening match of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka next week, report agencies.

Selectors said they opted for the uncapped off-spinner to counter Sri Lanka's left handers in the squad.

"Team management felt we might need another off-spinner" to complement Mehedi Hasan, selector Habibul Bashar told AFP.

"At the moment Naeem is the best possible option, especially if we think of a specialised bowler."

Naeem has played only four first-class matches and claimed nine wickets.

Batsman Sabbir Rahman was dropped after a poor run in the ongoing tri-nation one-day series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy and Shafiul Islam, who were left out of the one-day series, were also overlooked for the Test squad.

"Sabbir could not fulfil our expectations in recent matches. We thought of Soumya, but he could not score enough runs in his last six innings in first-class cricket," he said.

Middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain and pace bowler Kamrul Islam were recalled to the side, as was Shakib Al Hasan.

The all-rounder replaces Mushfiqur Rahim as captain. Rahim was axed after Bangladesh was resoundingly thumped in both Test matches against the Proteas.

Shakib's second chance at skipper starts January 31 with the Test opener against Sri Lanka in Chittagong.

The second Test is in Dhaka starting February 8.

Sri Lanka, who face Bangladesh in the tri-nation final today (Saturday), will also play two Twenty20 internationals against the hosts.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday announced a 16-member squad for the final of the Tri-Nation ODI Series against Sri Lanka billed for Saturday (Jan 27) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka recalling top order batsman Imrul Kayes.

Imrul Kayes, who was dropped from the 15-member previous ODI squad, was included in the 16-member team for the final. Other members of the team remained unchanged.

Squad: Bangladesh ODI team for final: Masrafe Bin Mortaza (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan (Vice Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Hoque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan Raju, Mehedy Hassan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sunzamul Islam and Imrul Kayes.

Bangladesh team for first Test: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mushifiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mehidi Hasan Miraj, Rubel Hossain, Nayeem Hasan.