The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the first Test against the West Indies, starting on October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed returns to the Test setup after missing the one-off match against Afghanistan earlier this month.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the side in the two-match series, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz named vice-captain. The Bangla Tifers, who are at fourth place on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings, will aim to collect valuable WTC points across the series on home soil.
Taskin Ahmed Returns as Bangladesh Drop Khaled Ahmed
Taskin Ahmed has returned to the Bangladesh pace attack ahead of the home series. The right-arm fast bowler replaces Khaled Ahmed, who has been left out of the squad after the previous Test assignment against Afghanistan.
Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam have retained their places in the squad. The four fast bowlers will lead the attack against the West Indies in Mirpur.
Meanwhile, Nahid Rana remains unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from a longstanding injury. His absence leaves the team without one of its promising fast-bowling options for the opening Test.
Litton Das Returns as Soumya Sarkar Loses His Place
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been declared fit for the first Test after missing the recent tri-nation white-ball series in the United Arab Emirates because of a hip bone injury. His return provides an experienced option behind the stumps and in the batting lineup.
Jaker Ali Anik has retained his place as the backup wicketkeeper. He is also gaining leadership experience by captaining the BCB XI in a two-day warm-up match against the touring West Indies side ahead of the Test series.
The middle order features experienced batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, alongside Tawhid Hridoy. However, Soumya Sarkar has been dropped after featuring in the recent Test assignment against Afghanistan, leaving him out of the squad for the West Indies series.
Shadman Islam and Tanzid Hasan Lead the Opening Options
The selectors have included Shadman Islam and left-hander Tanzid Hasan as their specialist opening batters for the series.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will add balance to the Bangladesh side as vice-captain and a key all-rounder. He will lead the spin department alongside left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, giving Shanto three specialist spin options for the Mirpur conditions.
Nayeem retains his place after initially being named as a reserve in the squad for the Afghanistan Test before earning promotion to the main playing group.
The first Test will conclude on November 1, after which the teams will travel to Sylhet for the second match, beginning on November 5 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Jaker Ali Anik, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, Shadman Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
