DHAKA, June 19: Experienced batsman Akram Khan was included in the 15-man Bangladesh squad named Wednesday for the two-Test tour to Sri Lanka next month.

Akram, who led Bangladesh to two wins in the 1999 World Cup in England, was left out against Pakistan in January.

The team, led by captain and wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud, will play three one-day internationals and two three-day matches ahead of the Test series, which begins on July 21.

Uncapped medium pacers Alamgir Kabir and Talha Zubair as well as batsmen Ehsanul Hoque and Abdul Hannan Sarker have been included in the squad, chief selector Mainul Haq told reporters.

Haq said the two batsmen would replace injured Javed Omar and Sanwar Hossain, who performed poorly in local league matches.

Talha Zubair has come in to replace Mohammad Sharif, who was also ruled out through injury.

Bangladesh’s performances have been poor since they become the 10th Test playing nation in 2000. The country has since played 11 Tests, losing 10 and drawing one.

The squad: Khaled Mashud (captain), Habibul Bashar, Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Al-Shahriar, Ehsanul Hoque, Abdul Hannan Sarker, Mohammad Ashraful, Tusar Imran, Fahim Muntasir, Enamul Hoque, Monjural Islam, Tarek Aziz Khan, Alamgir Kabir, Talha Zubair.

Itinerary:

July 12-14 v Sri Lanka A in Moratuwai.

July 16-18 v BCCSL development squad in Colombo.

July 21-25: First Test at Saravanamuttu Stadium.

July 28-Aug 1: Second Test in Colombo.

Aug 4: First one day international, Colombo.

Aug 5: Second one day international, Colombo.

Aug 7: Third one day international, Colombo.—Reuters