Taskin rested as Hridoy, Jaker return for Afghanistan Test

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday that pace bowler Taskin Ahmed will not play in Bangladesh's one-off Test match against Afghanistan. For the lone Test, which is scheduled to take place in the UAE from October 9 to 13, the BCB selected a team of 15 players.

In addition to Taskin, wicketkeeper-batsman Amite Hasan has been dropped, and Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy have rejoined the team. After scoring 350 runs without defeat against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, Hridoy was selected for the Test squad.

In contrast, Litton Das was doubtful for the tour, so Jaker was initially drafted into the Test team for the series against Australia. However, when Litton recovered in time for the Down Under series, he moved on.

Jaker scored 94 against South Africa A in the same match in which Hridoy grabbed the spotlight. He last played a Test for Bangladesh in July 2025, against Sri Lanka in Galle, before earning a recall for the Afghanistan assignment.

"We've decided to let Taskin rest after this Test match. We are anticipating his full participation in the Test series against the West Indies because the Test Championship is our top priority. "Because he is already playing Test matches, he might play the ODI series against West Indies to get into a rhythm," BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar stated.

He went on to say, "Taking his form into consideration, we have replaced Amite Hasan with Jaker Ali."

While Nahid Rana recovers from the Grade 2 side strain that has kept him out since July, he continues his rehabilitation. Bashar stated that the board wants to ensure Rana is fully fit for the more challenging matches against the West Indies and England, which Bangladesh will play four important home Tests during the current World Test Championship cycle.

"Rana will be available beginning on October 10 We want to keep him ready for the two-match Test series against the West Indies and England because we have four important WTC matches at home ahead of us," Bashar added.

As traveling reserves, offspinner Nayeem Hasan, pacer Musfik Hasan, and under-19 pacer Iqbal Hossain Emon will travel with the Test team.