Bangladesh Recall Towhid Hridoy for Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh have recalled Towhid Hridoy for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin in the UAE on October 9, after the batter’s record-breaking 350 not out for Bangladesh A earlier this month.

Hridoy is one of two additions to the squad, alongside Jaker Ali, as Bangladesh prepare for a standalone Test whose venue has not yet been announced by hosts Afghanistan. The selection is significant for Hridoy after he made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in July and then produced a major score in an unofficial Test against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.

Bangladesh will be without fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana for the match. Chief selector Habibul Bashar said Nahid will be available from October 10, placing him outside the timeframe for the October 9 Test, while Taskin is absent under workload management.

Hridoy earns return after unbeaten 350

Hridoy’s 350 not out against South Africa A was the central performance behind his return to the Test group. The innings came for Bangladesh A in an unofficial Test in Potchefstroom and was described as record-breaking, helping him force his way back into the senior side soon after his July debut against Zimbabwe.

The upcoming Afghanistan Test now gives Bangladesh an opportunity to include Hridoy in a batting unit led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The squad also contains Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, with Jaker providing another returning option.

Jaker has been brought back into the side while Amite Hasan has been left out. Amite made his Test debut in Zimbabwe in July and was subsequently selected for Bangladesh’s Australia tour, although he did not play a Test on that trip.

The selection changes leave Bangladesh with a 15-player squad for the Afghanistan fixture. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam are included among the spin options, while Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain and Shoriful Islam are named in the pace group.

Fast-bowling availability remains under watch

Nahid has not played since suffering a side strain in Zimbabwe in July. Bashar said the selectors want to ensure his availability for Bangladesh’s Tests against West Indies and for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.

“Nahid Rana is available from October 10, so till then we will consider him as ruled out,” Bashar said. “We want him to be available for the Tests against West Indies and the rest of the 2026-27 season. We are still considering whether he will play the ODIs in the tri-series or he will play in the domestic competitions to get back into the groove.”

Taskin played against Australia but is missing the Afghanistan Test due to the workload-management policy. Bangladesh have named offspinner Nayeem Hasan and quicks Musfik Hasan and Iqbal Hossain Emon as travelling reserves to accompany the squad.

With the venue still to be confirmed, the October 9 match will mark Bangladesh’s immediate Test assignment. Hridoy’s inclusion ensures that his Bangladesh A performance has received a swift senior-level reward, while the management of Nahid and Taskin keeps the focus on their longer-term availability.

Bangladesh squad for the Afghanistan Test

Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain and Shoriful Islam.