Taskin called up for first NZ Test as Mushfiqur returns, Mustafizur dropped

Taskin Ahmed has burst into the squad for the first Test against New Zealand but Mustafizur Rahman has been dropped after returning from an injury in the limited-overs series.

Mushfiqur Rahim is also back in the Tigers’ fold after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Mustafizur was fast-tracked into the playing eleven for the ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals against the Black Caps after getting back on his feet following a five-month injury layoff.

The maverick left-arm seamer has to wait for some time for a Test selection with his fitness being a top priority at the moment.

His last appearance in Test whites was in a two-match home series against South Africa in July 2015.

Paceman Rubel Hossain, who returned among the Tigers in the limited-overs series, was also picked for the first Test.

Having appeared in 23 ODIs and 13 T20Is, Taskin is a regular in the limited-overs lineup. But taking injury risks into account, the selectors had kept him away from the five-day cricket, until now.

He has been taken off the ongoing T20 series to keep him fresh for the longest format. New Zealand, however, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 20-over series with a match to spare on Friday.

The tall youngster last played his first-class match in February 2013. His wicket-tally stands 24 from 10 matches at an average 29, with best figures of 4/66 in an innings, and 5/107 in a match.

The first Test is set for Jan 12 in Wellington.

Bangladesh were without the services of their Test captain Mushfiqur behind the stumps since he suffered a hamstring injury in the opening ODI in Christchurch. The Tigers' middle order lynchpin will be back in action in Wellington.

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan has also been called up. Although he was in the squad against England, he was never picked to play in the historic Test series.

If Mushfiqur plays as a specialist batsman in the two-match series, Nurul may make his debut.

Spinning allrounder pair Mosaddek Hossain and Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury have been dropped from the squad that played against England in Dhaka towards the end of last year.

After being handed a maiden Test call-up in the match against England, right-arm seamer Subashis Roy, however, made the cut, though he warmed the bench in Mirpur during the home series.

Bangladesh have also got prodigious spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the hero from the win over England, and southpaw Taijul Islam to pair up with Shakib Al Hasan.

Despite not making the playing eleven yet, Soumya Sarkar retained his spot in the squad.

Bangladesh squad for 1st Test:

Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (Vice Captain), Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Soumya Sarker, Taskin Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shubashis Roy.