The national men's cricket team of Sri Lanka is set to arrive in Bangladesh in the second week of May for a two-match Test series against the hosts. The series will begin in Chattogram on May 15 and will be part of the ICC Test Championship's second edition. The Bangladesh Cricket Board named a 16-man team for the longer-version contest on Sunday. The squad includes all of the expected names, ensuring that a full-strength team will challenge the Sri Lankan Test side. Check out Bangladesh's squad for the BAN vs SL series 2022.
Bangladesh’s Test Squad for BAN vs SL Series 2022
The BCB named a 16-man squad on April 24 for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Shadman Islam and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi were not selected for the upcoming series because of their recent performances on the international stage.
In-form Taskin Ahmed was not selected due to an injury. Oppositely, Shoriful Islam was picked, although his participation in the series will be contingent on his fitness. Furthermore, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman was not considered for this longer-version contest.
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The ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the South Africa series due to family obligations, has returned to the Test team. Promising cricketer Rejaur Rahman Raja has also been included in the squad as the fifth pacer.
All of the anticipated names were selected for the Sri Lanka series, which will be led by Mominul Haque. Tamim Iqbal is poised to open Bangladesh's innings alongside promising youngster Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Bangladesh will have a good chance of winning the Test series because the Sri Lankan team is likely to be inexperienced.
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Test Series 2022 Fixtures
First Test: May 15-19 May | Venue: ZACS, Chattogram
Second Test: 23-27 May | Venue: SBNCS, Dhaka
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Bangladesh Squad:
Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Mahedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam.
The Major Highlights of the Declared Squad
Shadman Islam and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi dropped
The selectors decided to leave both Shadman Islam and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi out of the series against Sri Lanka since they have struggled in the recent international Test series for Bangladesh. Shadman Islam has scored 284 runs in his past 14 innings, including a century and a half-century, according to statistics dating back to January 2021. On the other hand, Abu Jayed Rahi has only taken 6 wickets in his last six innings since 2021.
Read: Bangladesh announces squad for Sri Lanka series
Shakib Al Hasan is back in the squad
Due to family obligations, Shakib Al Hasan was unable to participate in the Test series against South Africa. Shakib's mother was ill, and his mother-in-law died of cancer in April. Shakib's inclusion in the Bangladesh squad will undoubtedly benefit the team.
Mustafizur Rahman overlooked
Bangladesh's most talented pacer, Mustafizur Rahman last played a Test match in early 2021 against the West Indies, and he hasn't played any of Bangladesh's past ten Test matches. Mustafizur Rahman isn't interested in playing the longer-version format, preferring instead to concentrate on the shorter formats. However, Mustafizur's bowling could have been quite effective against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh's conditions. Mustafizur should have been selected for the series by the selectors.
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Uncapped Rejaur Rahman Raja included
Pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja was named for the Pakistan series in December but did not play a single international match. The right-arm medium-fast bowler has 36 first-class wickets at an average of 24.61 in 11 matches. Rejaur Rahman's bowling abilities might surprise everyone if he is given a chance to play against Sri Lanka.
Bottom Line
Bangladesh team is expected to start the series against Sri Lanka as favourites, thanks to a full-strength Test lineup. Bangladesh will be able to overcome a relatively weak Sri Lankan Test side if they play to their full potential. Furthermore, this Sri Lankan squad recently suffered a humiliating defeat in a Test series against the Indian team.
As a result, their confidence level would be a little lower when they encounter the hosts. Aside from that, there's a lot to play for, since this will be Bangladesh's fourth bilateral Test Championship contest. Bangladesh's standing in the ICC World Test Championship would improve significantly if they whitewash Sri Lanka.
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