Hasan Murad’s inclusion in the Bangladesh Test squad as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan has surprised some, but the 23-year-old left-arm spinner has earned his place through impressive performances in domestic cricket. Shakib's absence for the Dhaka Test opened the door for Murad to step in, accelerating his rise to the national team.

A member of Bangladesh’s U19 World Cup-winning squad, Murad has been quietly building a solid reputation with consistent performances in the National Cricket League and Bangladesh Cricket League. His statistics are impressive—30 first-class matches with 136 wickets, including 12 five-wicket hauls. His economy rate is under three, showcasing his control and skill. Despite not being a highly talked-about name, his numbers speak for themselves.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also expressed his confidence in Murad during a pre-match press conference, highlighting the quality spin options Bangladesh has for the Dhaka Test. "All four of our spinners are of high quality. Hasan Murad’s first-class stats are excellent. The way he’s been bowling over the last 2-3 years across different pitches is remarkable. He fully deserves his spot in the team," Shanto said.

Shanto also pointed out the strength in depth of Bangladesh's spin attack, referencing Nayeem Hasan, who has been performing well but often misses out due to team combinations. “Whether we play three or four spinners, all of them have the ability and experience to make an impact. Hasan may be new to the squad, but he has a wealth of first-class experience. I’m confident whoever plays will give their best,” Shanto added.

The Dhaka Test is expected to heavily favor spin, a typical feature of Mirpur’s pitch. Shanto acknowledged this but cautioned against expecting anything extraordinary. "Spin will naturally play a big role, as it always does in Mirpur. But I’m not expecting anything out of the ordinary. Our spinners just need to stick to their processes and bowl for the team. Taking 20 wickets is all about following the right process, and if we do that, we’ll get a good result," Shanto remarked.