Bangladesh Announces Test Squad for India Series: Shakib Included Despite Murder Allegations
Bangladesh has announced its squad for the Test series against India starting September 19. A 16-member team has been selected for the two-match series, with Nazmul Hasan Shanto named as the captain.
Shakib Al Hasan has also been included in the team. He is facing accusations in Bangladesh related to the murder of a student who participated in protests against the Hasina government. Over 400 people died in this protest, and Shakib is among 147 individuals accused of the murder of one student.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has defended Shakib Al Hasan against the murder charges. BCB President Faruque Ahmed stated that Shakib will continue to play for Bangladesh until proven guilty. He will be sent on the Indian tour.
Zakir Ali has been given a chance in place of Shariful Islam. Bangladesh’s squad for the series against India is the same team that defeated Pakistan in a Test series on their home ground for the first time, with only one change: Shariful Islam has been omitted due to injury sustained in the first Test against Pakistan, with Zakir Ali replacing him.
The Bangladesh Test squad comprises Nazmul Hussain Shanto (captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Naim Hasan, Naeem Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khalid Ahmed, and Zakir Ali Anik.
For the first Test, Team India includes Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Aakash, Deepak, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.