Soumya Sarkar Returns as Bangladesh Revamp Test Squad

Bangladesh have made several changes to their Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Australia, with injuries to key players forcing the selectors to reassess their options while also keeping an eye on the development of future Test cricketers.

Announcing the squad, chief selector Habibul Bashar said injuries had made the selection process considerably more complicated. The selectors, however, were not focused solely on the immediate challenge in Australia. With Bangladesh A also scheduled to face South Africa Emerging in a pair of four-day matches, they opted to use the parallel programme to provide valuable red-ball experience to several players who missed out on the senior squad.

The most notable change comes at the top of the batting order, with Soumya Sarkar returning to the Test side after an absence of almost five years. The left-handed opener last played Test cricket against the West Indies in 2021. Since then, he has remained outside the Test set-up, but a strong domestic first-class campaign has helped revive his international prospects.

Soumya scored 633 runs at an average of 45.21 in seven matches during the latest National Cricket League season, finishing as the competition’s leading run-scorer. His return, therefore, is not based simply on experience. Recent form has played a significant part in the selectors’ decision.

The prospect of facing Australia’s pace attack was also a factor. Soumya has considerable experience of international cricket and has previously faced high-quality fast bowling. Bashar indicated that the selectors believed his experience could prove useful in Australian conditions, where pace, bounce and movement are expected to test Bangladesh’s batting line-up.

The selectors also considered other opening options, but the limited availability of in-form right-handed openers worked in Soumya’s favour. His experience and current form ultimately made him the preferred choice.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy, meanwhile, has been left out after a difficult recent run. He has been dismissed for single-digit scores in four of his last six innings at the top of the order and has managed only one half-century during that period. With Australia presenting one of the most demanding environments for visiting batsmen, the selectors felt that giving Joy time to regain confidence and consistency would be more beneficial than immediately exposing him to another challenging assignment.

There have also been changes in the middle order. Towhid Hridoy, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe last month, has not been included in the Australia squad following a difficult first appearance. Bangladesh lost that Test by an innings, while Hridoy scored just two and nine in his two innings.

His omission, however, does not represent a departure from Bangladesh’s long-term plans for him. Instead, Hridoy has been selected for Bangladesh A’s four-day series against South Africa Emerging, where he will have another opportunity to develop his red-ball skills. With Mehidy Hasan Miraz returning to the senior squad, Hridoy’s chances of securing a place in the playing XI in Australia were already limited. The selectors therefore considered regular four-day cricket a better route for him at this stage.

Mahidul Islam has been given a similar opportunity. Although he was part of the Test squad against Zimbabwe, the wicketkeeper-batter did not feature in the playing XI. His inclusion in the A team for the South Africa Emerging series will allow him to continue gaining experience in longer-format cricket while remaining within the national selection pathway.

Jaker Ali, meanwhile, is set to take responsibility behind the stumps in Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter last played Test cricket in June last year and now returns after an extended absence. His recent form and mental preparation have reportedly been important considerations in his recall.

During his time away from the senior side, Jaker had the opportunity to work on his game through matches under the high-performance programme. His performances there helped convince the selectors that he was ready for another Test opportunity.

The Australia assignment will be a major examination for Bangladesh. Visiting teams often face significant challenges in adapting to Australian pitches, where pace, bounce and seam movement can expose technical weaknesses. For Bangladesh’s batters in particular, the series will demand patience, discipline and the ability to adjust quickly to unfamiliar conditions.

Against that backdrop, the decision to recall Soumya reflects the value of experience and current form, while the decision to send Hridoy and Mahidul to South Africa Emerging underlines the selectors’ longer-term approach. Rather than treating squad selection as a decision limited to one series, Bangladesh appear to be balancing immediate competitiveness with the gradual development of their next generation of Test players.

According to the schedule, Bangladesh will play the first Test against Australia in Darwin on 13 August, with the second Test beginning in Mackay on 22 August. At the same time, Bangladesh A will begin their first four-day match against South Africa Emerging on 16 August, followed by the second match from 23 August.

The overlapping fixtures have therefore given Bangladesh’s selectors an opportunity to manage two priorities at once: preparing a competitive squad for the demanding Australian tour while ensuring that players outside the senior group continue to receive meaningful exposure to four-day cricket. The approach highlights a broader effort to combine experience, recent performance and long-term planning as Bangladesh seek greater depth in their Test set-up.