Taskin rested, Hridoy and Jaker return for Afghanistan Test

Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed has been rested for Bangladesh’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday. The BCB named a 15-member squad for the lone Test, scheduled to be played in the UAE from October 9 to 13.

Apart from Taskin, wicketkeeper-batter Amite Hasan has also been left out, with Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy returning to the squad. Hridoy's inclusion in the Test squad comes a couple of weeks after his unbeaten 350 against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.

Jaker, meanwhile, was initially drafted into the Test squad for the series against Australia after Litton Das was doubtful for the tour. However, he made way after Litton recovered in time for the series Down Under.

Jaker scored 94 against South Africa A in the same match in which Hridoy grabbed the spotlight. He last played a Test for Bangladesh in July 2025, against Sri Lanka in Galle, before earning a recall for the Afghanistan assignment.

Bangladesh Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam.

"We have decided to give rest to Taskin from this Test match. As we are prioritizing the Test Championship so we are looking forward to getting his full service during the Test series against West Indies. He might play the ODI series against West Indies to get his rhythm as he is already playing Test matches," BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar said.

"We have replaced Amite Hasan with Jaker Ali taking his form into consideration," he added.

Meanwhile, Nahid Rana continues to undergo rehabilitation as he recovers from the Grade 2 side strain that has kept him out since July. With Bangladesh set to play four important home Tests in the current World Test Championship cycle, Bashar said the board wants to ensure Rana is fully fit for the more demanding assignments against the West Indies and England.

"Rana will be available from October 10. We have four important WTC matches at home ahead of us, so we want to keep him ready for the two-match Test series against the West Indies and England," Bashar added.

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