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Bangladesh has made a single, strategic alteration to their Test squad for the upcoming tour of India, opting for uncapped batter Jaker Ali as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Shoriful Islam. This decision comes following Bangladesh's historic 2-0 series triumph against Pakistan. Shoriful sustained a groin injury during the first Test against Pakistan and was unable to participate in the second match. His absence creates an opening for Jaker Ali to showcase his abilities on the international stage.
The absence of Shoriful Islam leaves a gap in Bangladesh's pace attack, a void that will be filled by Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, and Khaled Ahmed. While Jaker Ali has yet to make his mark in Test or ODI cricket, his experience in 17 T20Is since debuting at the 2023 Asian Games, coupled with his impressive performance in domestic cricket, makes him a promising prospect. Jaker has accumulated a notable average of 41.47 in 49 first-class games, including four centuries, demonstrating his ability to contribute with the bat in the longer format.
Selector Hannan Sarkar emphasized that the decision to include Jaker Ali was influenced by Shoriful Islam's injury and the team's assessment of the conditions in India. The inclusion of an additional batter is viewed as beneficial given the nature of Indian pitches, where scoring runs can be challenging. Sarkar highlighted the importance of Shoriful's recovery and his role within the white-ball team, especially with the upcoming T20 series against India. He confirmed that Shoriful will remain under the care of physios and trainers and will continue to be a key member of the white-ball squad.
Jaker Ali's recent form, which includes a standout performance of 174 runs against Pakistan A in Islamabad, solidified his position for selection. His inclusion comes at the expense of Shahadat Hossain, a regular middle-order batter for Bangladesh in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Sarkar articulated the reasoning behind their selection decision, highlighting Jaker's capabilities as a middle-order batter and the strategic considerations surrounding the Indian conditions and the opposition. He acknowledged Shahadat Hossain's prior contributions but pointed to his recent performance as a factor in the decision.
Sarkar emphasized the importance of Jaker Ali's domestic record, especially his recent innings in Pakistan. This performance, coupled with his record in first-class cricket, suggests that Jaker Ali could be a valuable asset in the longer format. The selection committee also considered Shahadat Hossain's form, acknowledging his participation in four-day matches in Australia and Pakistan, but deeming his current form insufficient for international competition. They emphasized that Shahadat Hossain remains a part of their future plans and is currently preparing for the National Cricket League.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who missed the Pakistan Tests due to a groin injury sustained during the four-day games between Pakistan A and Bangladesh A, has been included in the squad. However, Shadman Islam's impressive performance in the first Test in Rawalpindi suggests that he could retain his spot at the top of the order alongside Zakir Hasan. The first Test against India is scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai, followed by the second Test in Kanpur from September 27. Both matches are part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, where India currently occupies the top position, while Bangladesh sits at No. 4 on the points table. The upcoming Test series promises to be a fierce contest between two formidable teams.
Source: Uncapped Jaker Ali replaces injured Shoriful Islam for Bangladesh's Tests against India