Bangladesh has finalized its squad for the upcoming first Test against Australia in Darwin, marking a significant return to the international arena for Soumya Sarkar. The batter, who last represented his country in the longest format five years ago against the West Indies, joins a revamped roster that sees five changes from the team that faced Zimbabwe earlier this month.
Alongside Soumya, the selectors have included Jaker Ali and uncapped player Musfik Hasan. The squad also welcomes back vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and veteran fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, both of whom were rested during the recent Zimbabwe Test series. These additions come as the team navigates injury setbacks to key players including Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, and Litton Das, all of whom were instrumental in the historic 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in May.
Several players have been omitted from the selection, most notably Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had been a focus of team management over the last two years but struggled in his recent outing against Zimbabwe. Other departures include back-up wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam, batter Towhid Hridoy, offspinner Nayeem Hasan, and uncapped seamer Robiul Haque.
The selection of Soumya Sarkar has raised questions, as he has not been among the top performers in domestic cricket despite averaging 44.47 across 27 first-class matches with three centuries during his time away from the Test side. His form in ODIs this year has also been limited, with an average of 21.42 across seven matches. Similarly, the return of Jaker Ali has been noted as unexpected, given he has not batted in a first-class match in over a year and has been outside the white-ball plans since last November, though he did produce a pair of fifties against Zimbabwe A recently.
The national selectors are expected to address these decisions in a press conference scheduled for Monday. The Bangladesh squad is slated to depart for Darwin on July 31, where they will participate in a warm-up match before the first Test begins on August 13.
Bangladesh squad for the first Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan (wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-capt), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Musfik Hasan.
Soumya Sarkar last played a Test in 2021•BCB
The selectors have dropped Mahmudul Hasan Joy despite the team management having placed a lot of faith in him over the last two years. He made 2 and 22 in his last appearance against Zimbabwe. Back-up wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam, batter Towhid Hridoy, offspinner Nayeem Hasan and uncapped seamer Robiul Haque were also le
