Left-arm spinner replaces veteran in Bangladesh squad for first South Africa Test
Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad replaced Shakib Al Hasan in Bangladesh's squad for the first Test against South Africa
Hasan Murad, the left-arm spinner uncapped at the Test level, replaced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the Bangladesh squad for their first test against South Africa. The series carries World Test Championship points. At the moment, Bangladesh are placed at seventh, whereas South Africa are placed at fifth place on the WTC standings.
The 23-year-old has been included in the team after Shakib's unavailability for the first test was confirmed.
Watch Shakib Al Hasan's bowling performance from Men's T20WC 2021
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the Chairman of BCB National Selection Panel made the announcement.
“We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test. He is at the end of his Test career but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that caliber with both bat and the ball to replace him.”
Hasan Murad has taken 136 wickets in his 30 first-class matches since his debut back in 2021. He made his white-ball debut for Bangladesh at the Asian Games in 2023 where he featured in two T20I’s.
“Hasan Murad has performed consistently in first-class cricket and has been in our system. He will lend balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to deliver at this level.” stated Gazi Ashraf Hossain.
Bangladesh faces South Africa at home in a two-match Test series, with the first Test starting on October 21st at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
Bangladesh squad for the first Test:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das (WK), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad