Bangladesh turn to Soumya Sarkar for first Test against Australia

Recall Bangladesh have brought Soumya Sarkar back into the Test squad for the first Test against Australia. The left-handed batter/all-rounder returns to the red-ball setup, likely adding experience and top-order options for Bangladesh ahead of the Australia series. In all, there were five changes to the last Test squad, which played against Zimbabwe earlier this month. Apart from Soumya, Jaker and Musfik, vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and veteran fast bowler Taskin Ahmed also return after being rested for the Zimbabwe Test. Bangladesh have been dented by the injuries to Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Litton Das. The three, alongside Taskin and Mehidy, had played pivotal roles in Bangladesh's 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan in May. In - Soumya Sarkar Recalled to the Test side after time away. During that period he averaged 44.47 in 27 first-class matches with 3 centuries. But his recent form raises questions: not a top domestic performer and poor ODI returns in 2025 — 21.42 average in 7 games with just one fifty. Out - Big names dropped Mahmudul Hasan Joy: Dropped despite team management backing him for 2 years. Last Test vs Zimbabwe: 2 & 22. Mahidul Islam - back-up WK Towhid Hridoy - batter Nayeem Hasan - offspinner Robiul Haque. Selectors have gone for experience in Soumya over continuity with Mahmudul, but the recall is surprising given Soumya hasn't been dominating domestically and his white-ball form has dipped. Jaker's recall is also shrouded in mystery as he didn't bat in his only first-class appearance since his last Test against Sri Lanka more than 12 months ago. Jaker hasn't been in Bangladesh's white-ball plans either since last November, though he scored a couple of fifties against Zimbabwe A recently. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan (wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-capt), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Musfik Hasan