Bangladesh Announces Squad for First Test Against South Africa
Bangladesh has announced its squad for the first Test against South Africa, commencing on October 21. Led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, wicket-keeper Zaker Ali Anik will make his Test debut. The team seeks to build on a recent historic Test series victory against Pakistan despite facing a loss to India. Phil Simmons has been appointed as head coach, with his tenure extending into the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Bangladesh national cricket team has officially announced its squad for the upcoming first Test match against South Africa, scheduled to commence on October 21 in Dhaka. The team will be captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Notably, wicket-keeper batter Zaker Ali Anik will be making his Test debut. This match forms part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, where Bangladesh currently holds the seventh position and South Africa is placed fifth. The Test squad consists of the following players: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das (wk), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. Earlier this year, Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by securing a 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan in a Test series held away from home. However, they subsequently faced disappointment with a series loss to India. In a recent development, Phil Simmons has taken over as the head coach of the Bangladesh team, succeeding Chandika Hathurusinghe from Sri Lanka. His coaching tenure is anticipated to extend until the Champions Trophy in 2025. After the two Tests against South Africa, the Bangladesh team is set to embark on a journey to the United Arab Emirates for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan.
The current announcement comes as part of Bangladesh’s preparations for their forthcoming matches against South Africa. The context of this series is significant as it falls within the realm of the ICC World Test Championship, where rankings and performance contribute to teams’ standings and future opportunities. Bangladesh’s recent victory against Pakistan adds an air of optimism as they seek to improve upon their past performances, while the recent coaching change may also affect team dynamics and strategies moving forward.
In conclusion, the Bangladesh national cricket team is gearing up for a crucial Test series against South Africa, led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and including debutant Zaker Ali Anik. With a history of recent successes and challenges, the upcoming matches will be critical for the team’s standing in the ICC World Test Championship. The appointment of Phil Simmons as head coach reflects a strategic move aimed at enhancing the team’s performance ahead of future international commitments, including the ODI series against Afghanistan.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
