Bangladesh call up uncapped batter Mahfijul Islam for South Africa Tests

The selectors of Bangladesh have announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series, which includes Mahfijul Islam, an uncapped opener. Mohammad Naim has also been called back after being out of the team for more than four years. Regular opener Shadman Islam has been ruled out of the tour because of an ankle injury he suffered in the Sylhet Test against the West Indies.

Naim was not considered for the longest format after his 2022 Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Mahfijul, meanwhile, has been in great form in the ongoing 28th National Cricket League, scoring 672 runs in 10 innings for Mymensingh, averaging 74.67, which includes an unbeaten 217 against Chattogram.

According to chief selector Habibul Bashar, Mahfijul's selection was based on the need for a right-handed opener for a long time and the absence of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who was also in the running.

“We actually wanted to give Robin [Mahfijul] a little more time to get ready. So I think he proved himself. We saw him in first-class, we saw him play for the A team, where he looked very promising,” Bashar said.

To be honest, we had in mind a different opener. We had to wait a little longer to announce the team as a result of this. We had considered Joy Mahmudul Hasan. He was unfortunately ruled out yesterday afternoon due to medical reasons.

Bashar also said that Mahfijul was an "organized" batter and that based on his performances with the A team in South Africa in August, he seemed ready for the Test level.

We thought Robin was ready because he did well in the South Africa series. He went with the A team, and he did a decent job. Additionally, it appears from his batting that he is extremely well-organized. He stated, "It seems to me that this is the best time to produce a right-handed opener."

Nayeem Hasan, an offspinner, and Amite Hasan, a wicketkeeper, both lost their spots in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. Pacer Khaled Ahmed has been recalled while veteran batter Mominul Haque, who missed the second Test against West Indies after suffering a concussion in the series opener, is also back in the squad. Nahid Rana, on the other hand, continues to be sidelined while he recovers from a labrum tear.

Bangladesh are scheduled to depart for South Africa on November 10 and 11, with the first Test beginning on November 15 in Johannesburg and the second beginning on November 23 in Centurion. They will also play three ODIs and three T20Is after the Test series.

Bangladesh Test squad for South Africa tour: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Mahfijul Islam.