Uncapped Naeem in squad for first SL Test

BCB included uncapped 17-year old all-rounder Naeem Hasan in the 14-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka which starts on January 31 at Chittagong.

The first Test will see Bangladesh return to Test cricket under a new captain as Shakib Al Hasan takes the reigns of the side.

Naeem, who impressed during the U19 Asia Cup last year is currently playing in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Naeem would be used as a backup spinner to Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, chief selector Minhazul Abedin Nannu informed.

"As this is a home series, we are focusing on spin after considering everything. We included spinner Naeem Hasan from the Under-19 squad as a new face," Minhazul Abedin said.

Naeem Hasan. Photo: Screenshot from ICC's official video

Another surprise in the Test squad was the inclusion of Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who last played for Tigers during their lone Test against India at Hyderabad.

"We brought in Kamrul Hasan Rabbi and he has the ablilty to swing with the old ball. We included him after considering that aspect.

Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar and pacer Taskin Ahmed, who were both dropped for the tri-nation ODI series, did not get a call up for the first Test. Shafiul Islam and Subashis Roy, who were part of the Test squad when Bangladesh toured South Africa were also left out from the squad.  Batsman Sabbir Rahman was also excluded from the squad for the first Test.

Bangladesh Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam, Naeem Hasan