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Uncapped Zakir Hasan earns maiden call-up for India Tests


Published : 08 Dec 2022 07:30 PM

Bangladesh have handed a maiden call-up to top order batter Zakir Hasan for the first Test against India with Tamim Iqbal yet to recover from his injury.

Zakir earned his spot in the 17-member squad after topping the run-charts in the domestic four-day competition. He was also named Player of the Match in the first unofficial Test against India, having scored a defiant 173 in the second innings to earn the hosts a draw. The wicketkeeper-batter followed it up with a 46 in the first innings of the ongoing second match.

Tamim continues to be on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury that had also ruled him out of the ongoing ODI series. "Our physio said he won't be able to play in the first Test. But we are awaiting the medical report for the second Test. So, we've announced the squad for the opening Test," BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz.

"As for Zakir we feel he is performing regularly in domestic cricket to earn a spot in the Test squad," Minhajul added.

Bangladesh have also been bolstered by the return of Mushfiqur Rahim to the Test squad after the senior pro missed his side's previous assignment in the red-ball format against West Indies. Taskin Ahmed, who didn't feature in the ongoing ODI series with an injury, is fit for the Tests.

The first Test begins on December 14 in Chattogram followed by the second and final Test that will kickstart on December 22 in Dhaka. The hosts already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series.

Test squad: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Litton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Anamul Haque.