Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has been called into the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against South Africa, replacing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, after his homecoming was disrupted due to security concerns.
Shakib was named in the 15-member squad after he had expressed his desire to end his illustrious Test career at home during the India series in September.
The stage was all set for the veteran all-rounder, but the news of his return sparked outrage among the protesters that halted his comeback.
Shakib鈥檚 unavailability paved the way for the 23-year-old Murad in the team.聽
He has already made his white-ball debut for Bangladesh at the Asian Games in 2023, where he featured in two T20Is.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chairman of the BCB National Selection Panel, announced the revised squad on Friday.
鈥榃e 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 calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him,鈥� stated Ashraf.
Murad has taken 136 wickets in his 30 first-class matches since his debut. Ashraf believes the youngster will add balance to the bowling department.
鈥楬asan 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,鈥� he added.
The first Test against the Proteas starts at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on October 21. The second match will be played in the port city of Chattogram from October 29 to November 2.聽
Squad for 1st Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (WK), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, and Hasan Murad.