Mustafizur set for red-ball return against WI

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC):

West Indies batsmen will renew their rivalry with Mustafizur Rahman after Bangladesh recalled the left-arm seamer for next month’s two-Test series in the Caribbean.

The 26-year-old has not played red-ball cricket in 16 months, preferring to focus on the white-ball format, and recently turned out for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.

Ironically, his last Test was against West Indies in Chattogram last year February.

Only last month, Mustafizur said he would make his position clear to the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding his Test career, especially since he was experiencing much better success in the shorter formats.

His presence will be a boost for the tourists, and he will combine with fit-again off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and experienced left-arm spinning all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan for the June 16-28 series.

Mustafizur, who has taken 30 wickets from 14 Tests, has also been included in the white-ball squads for the tour.

Batsman Mominul Haque will lead the 16-man Test squad which includes veteran opener Tamim Iqbal but will miss former captain Mushfiqur Rahim who has opted out of the trip.

Tamim has been, meanwhile, appointed captain for the three-match One-Day International series while veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah will lead the Twenty20 unit.

The opening Test has been carded for June 16-20 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua with the second Test bowling off June 24 at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia.

The first two T20 Internationals, on July 2 and 3, will be staged at Windsor Park in Dominica, while the final game on July 7 will be played at the Guyana National Stadium.

Guyana will host all three ODIs from July 10-16.

SQUADS:

TEST – Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hassan, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nurul Hasan Sohan.

ODI – Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hassan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Anamul Haque Bijoy.

T20I – Mahmudullah (captain), Munim Shahriar, Liton Das, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin.