Bangladesh has named uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan in the first Test against South Africa, scheduled to start on October 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, not Mirpur ¹ ² ³. Shakib Al Hasan’s unavailability is due to personal security concerns, according to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ² ³.
Hasan Murad, 23, boasts an impressive first-class record, having taken 136 wickets in just 30 matches since his debut in 2021, including 12 five-wicket hauls ¹. His consistent performances have caught the attention of selectors, and he’s now poised to make his Test debut.
The Bangladesh squad for the first Test includes:
- Batsmen: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim
- Wicket-keeper: Litton Kumer Das
- All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam
- Bowlers: Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad ¹
Murad’s inclusion is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Bangladesh’s bowling attack, particularly on the spin-friendly wickets of Dhaka ¹.
