DHAKA: Bangladesh have called up uncapped duo Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Rejaur Rahman Raja for the first Test against Pakistan in Chittagong that starts on Friday.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also included in the squad but needs to have his fitness assessed.

“We will obviously have to wait and see if Shakib makes it for the first test but the players who are in the squad have been the most consistent performers for us in tests and their presence can make a difference,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin said on Monday.

Experienced opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has opted out of the series due to injury.

The two newcomers made their way into the squad based on their performances in the longer form of the game, according to Abedin.

Batsman Mahmudul, 21, has made a promising start to his first-class career with two hundreds in the National Cricket League while medium-pacer Raja, 22, picked up 33 wickets in 10 first-class matches.

“It is still early days for him but Mahmudul has showed good temperament for the longer version,” Abedin said.

“He is also an in-form batsman. With injury concerns to Taskin [Ahmed] and Shoriful [Islam], we needed to keep our pace bowling options open and Raja got the nod. We have been monitoring his performances in first-class competitions. He is strong and energetic and has a knack for taking wickets.”

The second Test is in Dhaka from Dec. 4-8.

Bangladesh squad for first Test: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Abu Jayed Rahi, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shakib Al Hasan.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2021