BCB announces squad for Sri Lanka matches with three new faces

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 21-member preliminary squad for the two test matches in Sri Lanka.

The pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Mukidul Islam and Shohidul Islam earned their maiden call up and all-rounder Shuvagata Hom returned to the Test squad after over four years in the team, according to a BCB press release.

Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the squad just two days before the national team's scheduled departure for Sri Lanka to play two Tests against the hosts.

‘They [Shoriful, Mukidul and Shohidul] have been in our HP set up and have impressed in whichever version they have played in. Mukidul and Shohidul in particular, have caught the eye in domestic first-class this season and are future Test prospects. They all have age on their side and are talented,’ Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said.

Shuvagata, who last played a Test match in 2016 against England, was called up as a spin-bowling all-rounder, to presumably plug the gap left by the absence of ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who won’t take part in the series and instead will play in the Indian Premier League.

The Test series will begin on April 21 and the second match will commence on April 29 and both the games will take place in Pallekele.

Preliminary squad: Mominul Haque, Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hassan, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Saif Hasan, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mukidul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Shohidul Islam, Nurul Hasan.