Litton stays, Taskin returns as Soumya

Wicketkeeper batter and Tigers' white ball skipper Litton Das has retained his place in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the first Test against the West Indies after recovering from injury, while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has returned to the side. Soumya Sarkar and Khaled Ahmed, however, have been left out.

The first Test will begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on 28 October. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad on Friday.

Litton returned home early from the ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates after suffering a hip injury. Having recovered, the wicketkeeper-batter has been retained for the opening Test against the West Indies.

Taskin, meanwhile, missed the Abu Dhabi Test against Afghanistan as part of a workload-management decision. His return gives Bangladesh another pace-bowling option.

Soumya’s omission follows a disappointing ODI tri-series, in which he scored just nine and zero in his two appearances. The opener was also overlooked for the Test against Afghanistan after failing to make Bangladesh’s playing XI in either of the two Tests against Australia.

Chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon said Soumya had been left out to allow him to play first-class cricket in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), as the selectors expected little change to Bangladesh’s opening combination.

“One major reason for leaving him out is that first-class cricket is currently under way. The chances of changes to our playing XI are limited, and the opening pair we have will probably play. We want him to play a first-class match,” Habibul told reporters at Anvir Cricket Stadium.

The selectors are also prioritising first-class cricket for potential third openers ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming tour of South Africa.

“We will announce the squad for South Africa, and someone will go as the third opener. We will decide who that will be later. For now, we want those we are considering for that role to play first-class cricket,” Habibul said.

Khaled has also missed out despite taking 16 wickets in three matches for Kent in English county cricket. The chief selector said Taskin’s return and the availability of other pace options had reduced Khaled’s immediate chances of playing.

“At the moment, our top three fast bowlers are Ebadot, Shoriful and Hasan. Taskin has returned, and Khaled also has limited chances of getting into the playing XI. However, he could return to the squad for the South Africa tour or even the next Test,” Habibul said.

Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam.