Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das are included in Bangladesh’s Test squad for the one-off Test against Ireland, which is scheduled to begin on April 4, in Dhaka. The duo will join their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) only after the Test ends. Earlier, there were speculations that the cricketers will join their respective IPL teams on April 3, after receiving a NOC (No objection certificate) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The BCB president, Nazmul Hassan, stated that the IPL franchises were aware of the departure dates of the Bangladeshi players. He also stated that the board’s decision has remained unchanged.
“We will let them (the Bangladesh players) go to the IPL in accordance with what we informed the tournament about their availability. We haven’t changed our decision,” Nazmul Hassan told ESPN Cricinfo.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has arrived in India to play for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the lucrative league. Notably, DC will face the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their first game on Saturday, April 1, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Zakir included in Bangladesh’s one-off Test against Ireland
Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das were in Bangladesh’s last Test squad against India in December 2022. However, there are plenty of changes in the squad for the upcoming Test. Notably, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Ebadot Hossain, and Shoriful Islam will be making their comeback. Tamim was forced to miss India’s tour of Bangladesh due to a groin injury. Ebadot, on the other hand, was injured and missed the second Test against India.
Shadman Islam replaces Zakir Hasan, who is out with a left thumb injury. Zakir, 25, made an impressive Test debut last year, scoring a century against India. Meanwhile, Nasum Ahmed, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Anamul Haque, and Rejaur Rahman Raja were also excluded from the squad.
Bangladesh squad for Ireland Test: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy.