Miraz continues as vice-captain, Ibadat returns to the national team after 23 months, while Joy loses his place.
Under the leadership of the experienced captain, Bangladesh will kick off the new ICC Test Championship cycle. Najmul Hossain Shanto has been retained as the Test captain, with Mehedi Hasan Miraz continuing as his vice-captain.
Bangladesh will start their 2025-27 ICC Test Championship campaign with a tour of Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Wednesday night that Shanto and Miraz will remain in their roles for another year, not just for this tour.
The most notable inclusion in the Sri Lanka squad is Ibadat Hossain Chowdhury, who returns to the national side after nearly two years out due to a leg injury.
Alongside Ibadat, Liton Kumar Das and Nahid Rana have also made comebacks in the 16-member squad. Missing out this time are Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanvir Islam, and Tanzim Hasan.
Ibadat sustained a knee injury while bowling in the second ODI against Afghanistan in July 2023, which required surgery that same year. After a long rehabilitation, the experienced pacer made a return through domestic cricket late last year. He played two matches for Sylhet in the National League and five matches for Fortune Barishal in the BPL. He has also been a regular in the Dhaka Premier League with Mohammedan Sporting Club. Last month, he featured in two one-dayers and one four-day match for New Zealand ‘A’ team.
After overcoming these hurdles, Ibadat could be seen playing Tests again for the first time since June 2023. The pace bowling department will include him alongside Nahid, Hasan Mahmud, and Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Tashkin Ahmed, suffering from an ankle injury, will need more time before returning to the field.
Among the 16 players, Murad is the only one yet to make his debut. Though he was in the squads for home series against South Africa and West Indies last year, the young left-arm spinner didn’t get a chance to play. Considering Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions, Murad has been recalled. He will join the spin attack with Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Naeem Hasan.
The return of Liton and Nahid was expected. Liton missed the recent Zimbabwe Test series due to participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), while Nahid joined him in the PSL after playing the first Test.
Joy’s omission is less surprising, given his long run drought. Since his 86-run innings in the Sylhet Test against New Zealand in November 2023, he hasn’t scored a fifty. In 17 innings since then, he has managed only one score above 40.
Tanzim made his Test debut in the second match against Zimbabwe, scoring 41 runs in his only innings. He took one wicket for 49 runs in 10 overs in the first innings but wasn’t used as a bowler in the second innings.
Tanvir Islam was a surprise call-up to the squad but missed out without playing.
Bangladesh will depart for Sri Lanka on June 13 for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The first Test begins on June 17 at Galle, followed by the second Test at Colombo’s Singhalese Sports Club starting June 25.
Bangladesh Squad
Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Sadman Islam, Enamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumar Das, Mahidul Islam, Zaker Ali, Mehedi Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ibadat Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Returning
Liton Kumar Das, Hasan Murad, Ibadat Hossain Chowdhury, Nahid Rana
Omitted
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan
