Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali have been given another opportunity to make a mark in the Bangladesh Test setup as both were selected for the one-off cricket Test against Afghanistan in the UAE.
Hridoy’s choice is made after a remarkable performance in his recent career. He was unbeaten on 350 in his only game against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, further bolstering his argument for getting back to the senior Test combination.
Jaker’s name was also on the score sheet of that game with a score of 94. He will have another chance after he made his debut Test appearance in 2025 in Galle against Sri Lanka in July.
The duo have joined the 15-men herd by replacing Amite Hasan and Taskin Ahmed. There is no case of Taskin being dropped from the squad, but Bangladesh have consciously decided to ease his load in the run-up to a significant string of Tests.
Taskin, who is fit to begin at full strength in the upcoming West Indies Test series, will be required to play at full strength, Chief selector Habibul Bashar said, adding an ODI engagement would give the pacer match practice before the Test series.
Bangladesh’s determination is also affected by Nahid Rana’s recovery. The fast bowler is still out, having picked up a Grade 2 side strain in July, but is expected to be back around October 10.
Hence, Bangladesh will take a shot without one of their vital pace options but the selectors are taking the highest priority towards his recovery before four home Tests in the current WTC schedule.
The forthcoming schedule is significant in the context of the selection decisions. With two Test series against the West Indies and England, respectively, coming home to Bangladesh, fast bowlers are being closely watched.
So the selectors have therefore opted for new opportunities in the Afghanistan match, coupled with workload management. Both Hridoy’s recent spell of terrific form and the return of Jaker add another option to the batting line-up, while the absence of Taskin is to keep the pace element intact for the bigger WTC format.
The other three players are going to join the squad as extra players – Nayeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan and Under-19 fast bowler Iqbal Hossain Emon.
The Afghanistan Test will take place between the 9th and the 13th of October. In the case of Hridoy and Jaker, it is an opportunity to earn a permanent spot in Bangladesh’s Test squad in the longer run.
