Bangladesh Pick Uncapped Mahfijul Islam in 16-Man Test Squad for South Africa Tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board named a 16-man squad on 9 November for the two-Test series in South Africa, calling up uncapped batter Mahfijul Islam and recalling opener Mohammad Naim. Najmul Hossain Shanto stays as captain, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as his deputy. The first Test starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 15 November.

Mahfijul, 22, plays for Mymensingh and has 672 runs in this season’s National Cricket League, a tally that includes a double hundred. Chief selector Habibul Bashar said the selectors had been looking for a right-handed opener and felt Mahfijul had done enough to earn his chance. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the other candidate for the opening slot, is unavailable for medical reasons.

Naim is back in the Test squad for the first time since 2022, the year of his only Test, against New Zealand. His recall follows an ankle injury to Shadman Islam, who was hurt while fielding in the second Test against West Indies in Sylhet and misses the tour.

Changes in the attack

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan loses his place, and seamer Khaled Ahmed comes in, a move towards pace for South African conditions. Fast bowler Nahid Rana is not available for the series. Mominul Haque is back after missing the Sylhet Test while following the concussion protocol, having been hit on the head in the first match of that series.

The squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed and Mahfijul Islam.

Context

Bangladesh arrive after losing their home series to West Indies 1-0. West Indies won the first Test by eight wickets, and the second, in Sylhet, was drawn on 9 November, with Bangladesh on 184 for four chasing 369. Hridoy made an unbeaten 242 in the first innings of that match. Bangladesh are fifth in the World Test Championship standings.

South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, host the second Test at Centurion from 23 to 27 November. Three ODIs and three T20Is follow in December.