Bangladesh have announced their squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, with middle-order batsman Towhid Hridoy recalled to the team after his record-breaking performance for Bangladesh A. The red-ball match will be played in the United Arab Emirates from October 9-13 and will not be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Hridoy has been rewarded for his sublime performance in first-class cricket. The right-handed batsman took an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A last month. The huge innings is now the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batsman in first-class cricket, and is further proof of his potential for a return to the national Test side.
Besides Hridoy, wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik has also been added to the squad. Jaker replaces Amite Hasan, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board will consider this recent performance when they pick the team for the Afghanistan Test.
The selection also sees Bangladesh make a big workload decision involving fast bowler Taskin Ahmed. Taskin has been rested for the one-off Test as the team management looks to manage his workload and focus on the upcoming World Test Championship matches.
Habibul Bashar, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief selector, said that the decision was made in light of the team's longer-term Test commitments. He said Taskin could be part of the ODI series against the West Indies in order to keep his rhythm, and Bangladesh would like to see him fit to play for the Test series against the West Indies.
Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam will be given more responsibility in pace with Taskin out. Both bowlers performed well in Bangladesh's two-match Test series against Australia last month and have already shown their ability in the long format.
Hasan Mahmud was also very effective in the opening Test as he took six wickets in Australia’s first innings. Shoriful Islam also shone in the first innings of the second Test at Mackay. Their recent performances give Bangladesh an edge ahead of the Afghanistan assignment.
Nahid Rana has also been left out of the team even though the selection committee was in agreement as to when he will be available to play again. Bashar said Rana will return to competitive cricket from October 10. The Bangladesh team management wants to make sure the young pacer is ready for the important home Test matches against the West Indies and England.
The Afghanistan Test therefore gives Bangladesh a chance to assess the performance of many players in this Test and to manage the workload of key members of their Test team. Hridoy’s inclusion would be particularly interesting following his 350 not out for Bangladesh A. His achievement has given the selection committee a strong reason to examine whether his first-class performances can translate into success at international Test level.
Bangladesh will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, with a combination of experienced campaigners and young players in the squad. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Litton Kumer Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz provide considerable experience, while players such as Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam add younger options to the team.
The one-off Test against Afghanistan will be an important red-ball assignment despite not contributing to the WTC 2025-27 standings. For Bangladesh, it will be a great opportunity for competitive preparation and for the selectors to assess players like Hridoy and Jaker prior to their more important Test commitments.
Bangladesh Test Squad For Afghanistan
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Shoriful Islam.
