Dhaka, October 18 (IANS). Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has included left-arm spinner Hasan Murad in the first Test squad against South Africa in place of experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. This test match will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka from 21st October.
Murad, 23, has taken 136 wickets in 30 first-class matches since his debut in 2021.
BCB national selection panel chairman Ghazi Ashraf Hussain said, “We have been told that Shakib is not available for the first Test. He is in the final stages of his Test career, but along with his experience, we still have the bat.” And there is no player with that ability to take his place with both the balls.
“However, Hasan Murad has performed consistently well in first-class cricket and is in our system. He will provide balance to our bowling, especially in home conditions. We believe he has the potential to perform well at this level.” Has the ability to do.”
On Thursday, Shakib cited “security issues” behind his decision to avoid returning to Bangladesh. This all-rounder, who was an MLA in Sheikh Hasina’s government, was to board a flight from Dubai to Dhaka at 5 pm Bangladesh time, but due to some reason he did not board the flight.
A source close to the cricketer confirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board urged Shakib to cancel the flight and asked him to return to the US.
“I was supposed to return home… but now I don’t think I will be able to return. It’s a security issue, a matter of my own safety,” Shakib told local broadcaster BDNews24.com.
Bangladesh team for the first test: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haq Shaurab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Zakir Ali, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmood, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad.
–IANS
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