The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday, June 4, announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, retaining Najmul Hossain Shanto as the Test captain for another year. The tour marks the beginning of Bangladesh’s campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Najmul Hossain Shanto duo to continue leadership duties

Shanto, who took over the captaincy in 2024, will continue to lead the Test side, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz staying on as vice-captain. The BCB reaffirmed its faith in the leadership combination that led the Tigers through the previous season.

“Top-order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been retained as Bangladesh’s Test captain for another year… Mehidy Hasan Miraz also continues as the vice-captain,” the board mentioned in its official statement.

Key returns and notable exclusions

Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has recovered from injury and makes his way back into the team, strengthening the middle order with his experience. Another major comeback comes in the form of right-arm pacer Ebadot Hossain, who last played international cricket in July 2023.

Two other notable inclusions are left-arm spinner Hasan Murad and young fast bowler Nahid Rana—both of whom were not part of the recent Test series against Zimbabwe.

However, three players from that Zimbabwe series have been omitted: left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and top-order batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Their exclusion comes as the selectors look to fine-tune the squad with an eye on the new WTC cycle.

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Notably, the Bangladesh team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka on June 13. The first Test will be held at the iconic Galle International Stadium from June 17, followed by the second Test at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium starting June 25. The two-match series will be crucial for both sides, offering an early chance to gain valuable WTC points.

Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka tour:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed

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