The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially announced the squad for the opening Test against the West Indies, with wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das retaining his place despite persistent concerns over a hip joint injury that sidelined him during the recent tri-nation series in the UAE. While the team management is hopeful for his recovery, Chief Selector Habibul Bashar acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his fitness, stating that the board remains optimistic he will be ready in time to avoid making late squad changes.
Litton’s inclusion is driven by his consistent performance in the red-ball format, where he has established himself as a cornerstone for the team. Over the last five years, he has amassed 2,058 runs across 30 matches. His most recent Test appearance against Afghanistan saw him deliver a strong performance with 155 runs, including a half-century and a century, alongside setting a national record for the most dismissals in a match with nine. Should he ultimately fail to recover in time for the series, the board is prepared to consider Jaker Ali Anik as a replacement.
The selection process also saw several notable omissions and adjustments. Fast bowler Nahid Rana remains unavailable for selection as he continues his rehabilitation following a side strain sustained during the July T20 series against Zimbabwe. His recovery has been complicated by persistent hip pain, preventing him from participating in the series against Australia and the recent one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Regarding Soumya Sarkar’s exclusion, Bashar explained that the decision was strategic, aiming to prioritize match practice for players unlikely to feature in the starting eleven. Since the team plans to field its regular opening pair, Soumya’s chances of playing were slim, and the selectors preferred that he participate in first-class domestic cricket rather than remaining on the sidelines. Consequently, the board opted not to include a third opening option in the squad.
The pace bowling unit sees the return of Taskin Ahmed, who was rested for the Afghanistan Test. He joins Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud to complete a four-man pace attack, a depth the selectors deem sufficient for the current requirements. Khaled Ahmed was left out to ensure he gains consistent playing time in domestic competitions, with the selection panel noting that the squad composition could evolve for the upcoming South Africa tour depending on performance and tactical needs.
The two-match Test series is set to commence on October 28 in Mirpur, with the second Test scheduled for November 5 in Sylhet. Both encounters are vital fixtures in the World Test Championship cycle. Furthermore, the BCB has announced that fans will be able to watch the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium for free, with complimentary entry provided for the north and south galleries, though this does not extend to the Grand Stand, Shaheed Jewel, Shaheed Mushtaque, or other VIP and hospitality areas.
The full squad is as follows: Najmul Hossain (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzid Hasan.
