Injury blow for Bangladesh as Mahidul replaces Litton for ZIM Test

Litton Das ruled out with a left calf strain sustained during the ODI series vs Australia in Dhaka. BCB Medical Team: “Will struggle to attain match fitness for the Test within the available timeframe ”Already missed: T20I series vs Australia in Chattogram. "You miss his batting, and Litton is class," Simmons said. "But again, what happens if he gets injured the day before [a big] tournament? We have to play properly, and the batsmen still have to bat even though he can get out on any day. They still have to bat, and today the only person that showed that the pressure didn't get to him was the captain." Last year, Litton had missed the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. In his absence, Jaker Ali had kept wicket. Before that series, Litton had missed the second Test against South Africa, which turned out to be Mahidul's only Test so far. He is now the only wicketkeeper in the Zimbabwe-bound Test squad. Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, 27, called up as wicketkeeper-batter Test experience: Just 1 Test – debuted vs South Africa when Litton was previously injured. Likely to play: With Jaker Ali also unavailable, Mahidul is the only specialist keeper in the squad. One-off Test: Starts June 28 at Harare Sports ClubFull tour: 3 ODIs July 6, 9, 11 in Harare, then 3 T20Is July 15, 17, 19 in Bulawayo Captain: Najmul Hossain Shanto leads Bangladesh Bowling: Spin-heavy attack led by Taijul Islam + Nayeem Hasan, pacers Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud. Test carries World Test Championship points – valuable for Bangladesh despite Litton’s absence. Bottom line: Calf strain rules Litton Das out of the Zimbabwe Test starting June 28. Mahidul Islam, with one prior Test, comes in as the only specialist keeper and is set for his second cap. Bangladesh lose a key batter but get a chance to test bench strength in Harare. Bangladesh Test squad for Zimbabwe Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Amite Hasan, Robiul Haque