As the cricketing calendar picks up pace, Bangladesh gears up to host Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series this April. With an eye on regaining dominance at home, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the series—leaving out Taskin Ahmed for rest and handing a maiden Test call-up to rising pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

The decision was announced by Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, who emphasized that the squad was selected with performance, workload management, and upcoming commitments in mind. Despite Zimbabwe being considered underdogs in the longer format, the selection panel opted against experimenting and instead chose the best available XI to build momentum ahead of future fixtures.

In a BCB-released video statement, Lipu explained, “You’ve already seen the squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe. It’s built around the best players currently available. We’re mindful that in May, Bangladesh A will play against New Zealand A, and our High Performance Unit will also face South Africa A. We’ve kept that in mind and picked our strongest Test side possible.”

Bangladesh will return to Test cricket after nearly four and a half months, with the selectors viewing this as a crucial opportunity to rectify their underwhelming home performances against Sri Lanka and South Africa over the past year.

One of the biggest talking points was the absence of Taskin Ahmed. The medical team recommended rest for the fast bowler, who has been carrying niggles. Lipu confirmed, “We consulted our medical department before finalizing the squad. Taskin needs time to recover, and since we have a packed calendar, including the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, we don’t want to risk him now.”

Taking his place is 21-year-old Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who has impressed in white-ball cricket and now gets a shot at red-ball. “He brings pace and aggression. He’s shown hunger and the ability to pick wickets—qualities we need in our pace attack,” Lipu added.

With Litton Das unavailable due to his Pakistan Super League commitments, a slot opened in the middle order. Fast bowler Nahid Rana is also set to join the PSL after playing the first Test. These absences have given opportunities to others in the squad, especially among the batters.

Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan retain their places despite inconsistent form. “We trust them. Zimbabwe is a chance for them to cement their positions,” said Lipu.

Shadman Islam also returns after a good domestic run, while experienced names like Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Nayeem Hasan bolster the spin department. The squad also includes four seamers for Sylhet’s seam-friendly track.

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s recent struggles at home, Lipu said, “We did well in Pakistan and showed promise in West Indies, but results at home—against Sri Lanka and South Africa—weren’t good enough. We want to fix that.”

He emphasized that the Zimbabwe series would be key for restoring batting confidence, particularly after top-order collapses in previous Test outings. “This is a golden opportunity to get things back on track, especially before we take on Sri Lanka in June.”

“The squad may look familiar, but each selection has been made with a purpose,” concluded Lipu. “Test cricket at home must be treated seriously. We believe this team can deliver.”

The two-match Test series begins on April 20 in Sylhet, followed by the second Test in Chattogram from April 28.