|| CF DESK ||

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced an 18-member squad for the New Zealand Test series 2021-22.

Bangladesh will face the hosts in a two-match Test series which will be a part of the 2021-2023 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

Shakib Al Hasan, who wanted to opt out of the upcoming tour but BCB included him in the squad as they haven't received any official letter or request from the allrounder. 

"He (Shakib) has not said anything officially (desire to opt out), but yes, he unofficially informed us. I asked him to send an official letter and then we will decide. We need to know why he wants to skip the tour," said BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon on Saturday regarding Shakib.

“We do not have Tamim [Iqbal] in the team [due to injury]. Shakib is not only a batter – he does the bowling too. The team combination gets better when he plays and there is no replacement of him,” the BCB boss added.

Fast bowler Shoriful Islam has returned to the side after missing out on the Pakistan series due to injury. Opener Saif Hassan and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan have been excluded from the squad.

The Bangladesh team will leave for New Zealand on December 9 for the series with the Tests scheduled in Tauranga and Christchurch.

The first Test will be played from January 1 while the second game will be staged from January 9 in Christchurch.

Bangladesh in the last five Test matches against New Zealand has lost four with the other ending in a draw.