Sabbir Rahman has been included in the squad announced for the second Test

Bangladesh cricket selectors have announced a 15-man squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting from February 8, 2018 (Thursday). Very few changes have been made in the squad.

The 26-year-old hard hitting batsman, Sabbir Rahman, has been included in the squad. It looks like his inclusion in the absence of injured all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will increase the strength of batting line-up. Because of his poor performance in the recently concluded tri-nation series last month, he was not picked up in the squad announced for the first Test. Playing 10 Tests, he scored 480 runs at an average of 26.66.

The number one all-rounder Shakib will not be able to play in the second Test in Dhaka because he is yet to get recovery from a finger injury he sustained during the Rocket Tri-Nation ODI Series final against the same opponent on January 27. Due to his injury, he also missed the first Test. Until Shakib becomes fully fit, Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the Test side.

The left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam and pace bowler Rubel Hossain have been dropped while veteran spinner Abdur Razzak and uncapped off-break bowler Naeem Hasan have been retained in the squad. Sunzamul’s performance in his debut game was not up to the mark. Bowling 45 overs, he claimed only one wicket giving 153 runs.

As the first Test in Chittagong ended without any result, no one is in the driving seat.

Squad for the 2^nd Test against Sri Lanka: Mahmudullah Riyad (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Kamrul Islam, Sabbir Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Naeem Hasan, and Tanbir Hayder.