Mushfiqur Rahim is set to return to Bangladesh’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe. The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman has been named in a 15-member squad for the first Test, scheduled to be held in Sylhet.
The 37-year-old last featured in a Test match for Bangladesh against South Africa in October 2024. He missed the team’s most recent red-ball assignment against the West Indies in November. Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series, with the first Test beginning on April 20 in Sylhet, followed by the second Test in Chattogram starting April 28.
Mushfiqur Rahim Returns as Bangladesh Name Squad for 1st Test Against Zimbabwe
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has been recalled to Bangladesh’s squad for the opening Test against Zimbabwe. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also returns to lead the side, having missed the previous Test series, during which Mehidy Hasan Miraz took over the captaincy.
Fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib has received his maiden Test call-up after making notable appearances in 10 ODIs and 22 T20Is. Experienced top-order batter Mominul Haque has also been included in the squad, which features a mix of youth and experience. Other batters in the lineup include Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, and Zakir Hasan.
Bangladesh Squad for the 1st Test vs Zimbabwe:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
In their previous Test series against the West Indies, Bangladesh bounced back from a 201-run defeat in the first match to secure a 101-run victory in the second, leveling the series. In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 cycle, Bangladesh currently sits seventh out of nine teams, with four wins and eight losses from 12 matches across six different opponents.
It’s worth noting that the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe is not part of the ICC WTC schedule.