Bangladesh enters the two-Test series against West Indies without two of their most experienced players as all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim miss out as the series begins November 22 at Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Shakib who planned a farewell Test against South Africa couldn’t participate due to ongoing protests in Bangladesh while Rahim is sidelined with a finger injury that also kept him out of the Afghanistan ODIs.
Despite expressing his desire to step down Najmul Hossain Shanto retains the captaincy. The squad sees the return of pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, while off-spinner Nayeem Hasan and pacer Khaled Ahmed have been dropped.
The Tigers aim to improve their Test fortunes after mixed results in 2024 While they secured a historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan but have gone downhill with losses to India and South Africa and have to improve upon as the team didn’t fare well as their last visit to the Caribbean in June 2022 ended in a 2-0 defeat.
This series which is a part of the World Test Championship 2023-25 will move to Jamaica’s Sabina Park for the final Test starting November 30.
Bangladesh squad
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Murad, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Nahid Rana, Shadman Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Zakir Hasan
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Openers: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam
Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam are expected to open the batting for Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. Both players will be looking to provide solid starts as they have faced challenges in recent matches to build long innings.
Hasan Joy has shown promise but has struggled with consistency and has averaged just 25.5 in his 15 Test matches. Shadman Islam on the other hand has been working on improving his technique and will be aiming to overcome his recent lean patch in Test cricket.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Litton Das (WK), Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Zakir Hasan’s been hit-or-miss lately and has shown promise but keeps getting out after decent starts. He needs to start turning those decent starts into big scores. Mominul Haque has been around forever but he’s been in a slump after a good series against India
Litton Das is probably their most reliable guy in the middle – he’s known for playing aggressive cricket and often comes through when the team needs him most.
Shanto their captain needs to have a blinder to help Bangladesh in the series. Lastly, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, an allrounder, has been impactful with both bat and ball, with solid contributions in past series.
Bowlers: Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed
Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has seen consistent improvement in recent series, with his aggressive pace bowling style, and has potential as an early wicket-taker. Newcomer Nahid Rana has some wheels to him and can trouble any opponent.
Veteran left-arm spinner Taijul Islam will spearhead the spin department, leveraging his proven ability to generate turn and bounce. The pace attack will be led by the experienced Taskin Ahmed whose consistent high-velocity bowling has been a reliable asset for the national team.
