Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 17-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, which includes all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who will be part of the team despite the recent political crisis in Bangladesh.
It is worth noting that, this series, which would consist of two test matches taking place from August 21st to September 3rd in Rawalpindi and Karachi respectively, is also part of ICC World Test Championship.
Amidst political instability in Bangladesh, Shakib was named in the squad. Following long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster that led to parliament disbandment, a former lawmaker of the ruling party lost his seat.
The BCB notwithstanding its links with Hasina’s Awami league made a decision based on merit. According to Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Chief Selector “The emphasis was on picking our best players.”
Shakib is currently playing in Canada during a Twenty20 competition and is expected to go straight to Pakistan without returning Bangladesh first. It is important to have such experience as well as returning wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Mominul Haque among others serving as the backbone of this team.
This was noted by Hossain when he said that “The likes of Mushfiqur, Mominul (Haque), and Shakib have played 216 matches combined, and there is no substitute for that kind of experience.”
Moreover, Pacer Taskin Ahmed has also been included with limited chances to feature only in second Test having missed out on longer format cricket for some time. As opined by Mr. Hossain: “Pakistan are very tough opponents especially in their home front and it will be challenging tour for us.”
Additionally, through squad selection BCB is looking at fielding a competitive side notwithstanding all odds. This will not just be an acid test for Bangladesh both on and off the field as they navigate a politically charged environment but also an uphill task against a formidable opponent.
