Shakib, Liton in squad for Ireland Test as Tamim returns

Putting aside all speculations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today confirmed that regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan will lead the team in the one-off Test against Ireland.

BCB announced a 14-member squad for the Test, starting from April 4 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, including both Shakib and his deputy Liton Das.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal made his return in the red-ball format after missing the India series at home last December. Moreover, opener Shadman Islam also returned to the squad after a long break in place of Zakir Hasan, who made a debut hundred against India but injury forced him to get sidelined .

The other notable inclusion in the team is pacer Shoriful Islam while the axe fell on Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, and Nasum Ahmed from the squad that played the last Test against India.

For the last few days, there had been speculation in the media that Shakib might miss the Ireland Test due to the IPL commitment but BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon on Friday dismissed that notion after the third T20I against Ireland in Chattogram.

Still, doubt remained as Papon said: "As things are, maybe they won't play the Test but that doesn't mean they are going to the IPL. Don't mix these things up. Take things one by one."

When the follow-up question was posed on whether Liton and Shakib will play the Test, the BCB president said: "I don't see a reason not to. They aren't injured so why won't they play? That's how I see things at the moment."

SQUAD

Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Liton Das (vice-captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy.