Rubel, Mustafizur return to Test squad

Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain has returned to the Test squad after missing out on the Hyderabad Test against India. He has replaced Shafiul Islam, who has been excluded because of fitness issues, in a 16-member squad announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board earlier this noon.

“Shafiul has been having trouble with his stomach ever since the India tour. We don’t know if it’s a muscle problem or what it is actually,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board chief selector Minhajul Abedin.

Mosaddek Hossain has been retained in place of Imrul Kayes subject to Imrul’s fitness levels. Imrul will be observed in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League for the next two rounds. If he does well, then he may be selected for the second Test against Sri Lanka.

As expected, Mustafizur Rahman has made a comeback into the team. If Mustafizur plays the first Test in Sri Lanka, this will be his first Test in more than a year.

“We feel that he has improved a lot in his fitness levels and is fit enough to play in all three formats,” said Minhajul.

16-member team for Sri Lanka series:

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Kumar Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Subashis Roy and Rubel Hossain