Soumya Sarkar Returns in Squad for First Test vs Australia

BCB have recalled Soumya Sarkar for the first Test against Australia in Darwin and five years after his last appearance in the format. Uncapped pacer Musfik Hasan and returning batter Jaker Ali also earn selection meanwhile vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and pacer Taskin Ahmed are back after being rested for the Zimbabwe Test.

In total, five changes have been made to the squad that played Zimbabwe earlier this month. The selectors were forced into some changes due to injuries to Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Litton Das key players from Bangladesh's 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan in May.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been dropped despite long-term backing from team management, after scoring just 2 and 22 against Zimbabwe. Wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam, batter Towhid Hridoy, spinner Nayeem Hasan and seamer Robiul Haque have also been left out.

Soumya's recall comes despite a modest run in domestic cricket, averaging 44.47 with three centuries in 27 first-class matches, and poor ODI form this year. Jaker Ali's selection is similarly surprising, as he did not bat in his only first-class match since his last Test over a year ago, though he did score two fifties in a recent series against Zimbabwe A.

Bangladesh's selectors will address the squad selection at a press conference on Monday. The team departs for Darwin on July 31, with a warm-up match to follow before the first Test begins on August 13.

Bangladesh squad for first Test against Australia

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