Shakib fit for second Test, selectors also name Naim as surprise pick

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Taskin Ahmed also included in 20-man squad after regaining fitness

Shakib Al Hasan missed the first Test and the T20Is against Pakistan with a hamstring injury  

Bangladesh’s Test loss in Chattogram was followed by good news after Shakib Al Hasan was ruled fit for the second Test against Pakistan starting December 4. Shakib missed the first Test, as well as the T20I series against Pakistan and the last couple of matches in the T20 World Cup due to a hamstring injury.
Shakib passed a fitness test in Dhaka on Monday, which brought him back into a team that badly needs his contribution. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has also returned to the side, while Mohammad Naim, the T20 specialist, makes his first appearance in the Test squad. Taskin had hurt his finger during the third T20I against Pakistan on November 22, which had ruled him out of the first Test.

Naim is the standout call-up in the squad. The 22-year-old has played 32 T20Is and two ODIs. He played the last of his six first-class matches in February 2020. Naim averages 16.63 in the format, and has scored only one half-century.

The team management had already picked fast bowlers Khaled Ahmed and Shohidul Islam for the Chattogram Test. The new inclusions make it a 20-man squad for the Dhaka Test, which is unusual for a home game.

Squad for second Test: Mominul Haque (capt), Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Abu Jayed, Nayeem Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mohammad Naim

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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