Opener Mahmudul Hasan has returned to the Bangladesh Test squad for the upcoming series at home against Ireland. This will be Bangladesh's first Test assignment following their recent captaincy saga that eventually concluded with Najmul Hossain opting to continue as their leader in the format for the ongoing WTC cycle, reports Cricbuzz.
Mahmudul Hasan, who averages only 22.79 in the format, was left out of the squad for Bangladesh's previous Test assignment against Sri Lanka. However, the 24-year-old has been brought back after recently scoring a century in the National Cricket League.
From the squad that played Sri Lanka, Nayeem Hasan, Mahidul Islam and Anamul Haque have been left out. Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, who is yet to make his Test debut, has been retained by the selection panel in the 14-man squad.
The first Test will be played in Sylhet from November 11 whereas the second and final Test will kick start on November 19 in Dhaka. The two teams will also play three T20Is after the conclusion of the Test series.
Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Murad.
Meanwhile, Ireland have picked five uncapped players in their Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Andrew Balbirnie will captain a side that will have only seven players from the squad that toured Bangladesh in 2023 where they lost the one-off Test. Cade Carmichael, Liam McCarthy, Jordan Neill and Stephen Doheny have received their maiden callups whereas Gavin Hoey is the fifth uncapped player who has been picked in Ireland's Test squad before. Even though experienced campaigner Mark Adair has regained fitness after undergoing a knee surgery, Cricket Ireland have picked him to play only the T20I leg of the tour.
The Paul Sterling-led T20I squad sees the return of Tim Tector whereas Ben Calitz, who made his debut for Ireland in the final T20I against England just over two weeks ago, retains his spot. 11 out of the 15 players picked were present in the squad that toured in 2023.
The tour kicks off next month with the opening Test scheduled to begin from November 11 in Sylhet. The second Test will kickstart on November 19 in Dhaka after which the action moves to Chattogram for the first two T20Is. The tour will conclude with the final T20I in Dhaka.
Test squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Jordan Neil, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young
T20I squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
