BCB selectors announced the test squad for Australia tour. Contrary to media rumors, Anwar Hossain Munir was selected over veteran pacer Hasibul Hossain Shanto. Another significant announcement was the exclusion of both Moniruzzaman and Shahriar Hossain Bidyut, the top two scorers in Dhaka League.
The team includes 2 specialist openers Javed Omar Golla and Hannan Sarkar. Al Shahriar Rokon will have initial role of middle order, however, might change to opener if needed. Sanwar Hossain, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Ashraful and Habibul Bashar Sumon come in as batsmen while skipper Khaled Mahmud Sujan is the lone all rounder. Khaled Masud Pilot is selected as the wicket keeper over Mohammad Salim. The team is loaded with pace bowlers Masrafi Bin Mortuja Masri, Manjurul Islam, Taposh Bashiya, Tarek Aziz and Anwar Hossain Munir. Mohmmad Rafiq is the lone spinner.
Hasibul Hossain Shanto and Tushar Imran have been included in the One Day squad. However, who they will replace was not announce. Also, Fahim Muntasir Sumit, Mohammad Salim, Shahriar Hossain Bidyut, Moniruzzaman has been add to the stand by list along with the Shanto and Tushar.
The team is expected to leave for Australia on June 22. The first test starts on July 18 while the second test will start on July 25. Bangladesh will play two 3-day and one 4-Day practice matches before the series begins.
Test Squad: Khaled Mahmud Sujan, Javed Omar Golla, Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Alok Kapali, Al Shahriar Rokon, Khaled Masud Pilot, Masrafi Bin Mortuja Masri, Manjurul Islam, Taposh Bashiya, Tarek Aziz, Mohammad Rafiq, Anwar Hossain Munir & Sanwar Hossain.
Stand By: Hasibul Hossain Shanto, Fahim Muntasir Sumit, Tushar Imran, Mohammad Salim, Shahriar Hossain Bidyut, Moniruzzaman.