Bangladesh selectors emphasized upon strengthening the batting line by including seven specialist batsmen and allrounder as they declare the 14 men squad for the first Test against Australia on Saturday.
Allrounder Nasir Hossain, who last played a Test in August 2015 and scoring heavily in the domestic cricket forced the selectors for his recall and medium-pacer Shafiul Islam, who last played in October 2016 returned to the side showed his eagerness to be back in the contention with a brilliant bowling spell in practice match . Mahmudullah Riyad, Rubel Hossain and Mominul Huq lead the list of the notable omissions.
Mominul Haque, one down batsman was not considered for the first time since his debut in March 2013, while Mahmudullah omission was a very difficult decision for selectors as he was very consistent performer in ODIs with bat. Possibly selectors were looking for an allrounder who is good with ball too.
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarker, Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat are the seven specialist batsmen in the squad.
The two allrounders Shakib al Hasan and Nasir Hossain both were picked for their batting abilities and bowling prowess while Mehedi Hasan Miraj, the third spin bowling allrounder also can bat a bit.
The three pace bowlers of the squad are left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, and two right handed pacers Shafiul Islam and Taskin Ahmed. Left arm spinner Taijul Islam remains as the lone specialist spinner in the 14 men army.
National selectors could not find any room for experienced pacer Rubel Hossain, and the young pacers Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Subhasis Roy.
