The entire series will be played in Islamabad, with the first four matches starting from August 10. Apart from Mushfiqur and Mominul, the selectors have also picked Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Nayeem Hasan and Hasan Mahmud for the first match. Mushfiqur missed Bangladesh’s previous Test series in Sri Lanka due to a thumb fracture, but Mominul, Joy, Zakir and Mahmud played in that series. Nayeem is also a Test specialist.
These six players will be substituted in the second leg starting on August 17. Mohammad Naeem, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Zaker Ali, Touheed Hridoi and Mohammad Saifuddin will be substituted.
Shahadat Hossain, Mahidul Islam and Mosaddek Hossain are the other three batsmen who have been selected for all four matches, meaning they are unlikely to be in the Test squad against Pakistan. Among the bowlers, left-handed spinners Hasan Murad and Tanvir Islam, and fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rejaur Rahman Raja and Ruyel Miah are likely to feature in both matches.
Bangladesh A will play their first senior match since they participated in the 2003-04 PCB Patron’s Trophy season. Bangladesh A will depart for Islamabad on August 6.
Bangladesh A team to play first 4-day match: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah.
Bangladesh A team to play in 2nd 4-day match: Anamul Haque, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Shahadat Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah
Bangladesh A Team 1-day series: Anamul Haque, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah
Tour Schedule
August 10-13: First 4-day games
August 17-20: 2nd 4-day match
August 23, 25, 27: 3 one-day matches
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
