Advertisement

Zakir earns maiden squad callup by Bangladesh for India test

Associated Press
·2 min read

CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Left-handed batter Zakir Hasan earned a maiden callup to the Bangladesh squad for the first test against India next week.

Zakir hit 173 runs for Bangladesh A in the first four-day game against visiting India A last week in Cox’s Bazar, helping the side draw from a huge deficit.

Also a wicketkeeper, he was the highest run-scorer in Bangladesh's first class National Cricket League this season with 442 at an average of 56.25.

“Zakir is one of the most talented young players and has been on our radar for the last five years,” Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin said on Thursday.

"He was in the high performance unit, and this season he was the highest scorer in first-class cricket. He played a good knock against India A last week. It saved the game. From what we have seen, he is prepared for the highest level.”

Batters Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed also return to the side after missing the last test series in the West Indies in June.

Mushfiqur undertook hajj while Taskin and Yasir were injured. Taskin also missed the first two one-day internationals against India due to back pain.

Tamim Iqbal, who missed the ODI series with a groin injury, was not in the squad for the first test starting on Dec. 14.

Abedin said his recovery could take until Dec. 22, which could put him in doubt for the second test, starting that day in Dhaka.

Mosaddek Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman were the other high-profile names missing from the test squad.

Bangladesh has sealed the ODI series, winning the first two matches. The third and last ODI is on Saturday in Chattogram.

___

Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mominul Haque, Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Rejaur Rahman, Anamul Haque.

___

More AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports