|| CF DESK ||

Uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad has replaced allrounder Shakib Al Hasan in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test against South Africa which starts on 21 October in Dhaka.

The 23-year-old Murad has taken 136 wickets in 30 first class matches since his debut in 2021.

“We 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. However, Hasan 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.”  BCB national selection panel chief Gazi Ashraf Hossain said

Shakib was expected to arrive in Dhaka yesterday night and join his teammates in a practice session today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur ahead of the opening Test against South Africa from October 21, which was also set to be his final red-ball game for the Tigers.

However, Shakib's homecoming took a complete U-turn as he was advised not to return to Bangladesh by the Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud for his safety issues.

SQUAD FOR FIRST TEST

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (WK), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad