Soumya, Jaker Return as Bangladesh Name Australia Test Squad

Bangladesh have announced a 15-member squad for the first Test of their upcoming two-match series in Australia, with experienced opener Soumya Sarkar returning to the red-ball side after more than five years away. Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali has also been recalled, while uncapped right-arm paceman Mushfik Hasan has earned another opportunity to join the national set-up.

Mushfik comes into the squad as a replacement for Nahid Rana, who has been ruled out of the first Test through injury. The 24-year-old has previously been called up to Bangladesh’s Test squad for the one-off match against Afghanistan in 2023 and the home series against Sri Lanka in 2024, but he is yet to make his international debut.

The pace department for the Australia tour will also include Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and Syed Khaled Ahmed. With Australia’s conditions traditionally offering pace and bounce, Bangladesh’s seamers are likely to play a crucial role during the series.

The squad, however, does not include regular wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who is recovering from injury. The Bangladesh team management is hopeful that he will regain full fitness before the second and final Test, leaving open the possibility of his return later in the series.

Soumya’s recall is one of the most notable developments in the squad. The left-handed opener last played Test cricket in February 2021, when Bangladesh faced the West Indies in Mirpur. Since making his Test debut in 2015, he has represented the country in 16 Tests and scored 831 runs.

Jaker Ali has also been brought back into the Test fold after an absence of around a year. The wicketkeeper-batter made his Test debut in 2024 and last appeared in the format during Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka in June last year. He has so far played six Tests and accumulated 337 runs.

Bangladesh are scheduled to leave for Australia on 1 August. Before the first Test, they will play a three-day practice match against a Cricket Australia XI at DXC Arena in Darwin from 6 to 8 August. The fixture will provide the touring side with an opportunity to acclimatise to Australian conditions and assess players ahead of the opening Test.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on 13 August at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, followed by the second and final match in Mackay from 22 August.

The series carries added significance for Bangladesh, who are set to return to Australia for a Test series after a gap of 23 years. Their previous Test tour of the country came in 2003, when they were beaten in both matches of the two-Test series.

This time, Bangladesh will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz serving as vice-captain. The squad combines experienced campaigners with younger players, while the return of Soumya and Jaker adds further depth to the batting group.

Bangladesh squad for the first Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amit Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury and Mushfik Hasan.