Bangladesh's Bold Squad Pick Hints at a Shock for Australia

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-27

Bangladesh have named their squad for the opening Test of the Australia series, and it's a lineup that blends raw hope with hard-won experience. The match kicks off on August 13 in Darwin, marking Bangladesh's first Test trip to Australia since 2003. With full points on the line in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, this isn't just a warm-up—it's a statement. ### A Familiar Face Returns Soumya Sarkar is back in the Test squad after nearly five years away. His last appearance came in 2021, and he now carries 16 Test caps into a tough away assignment. It's a recall that adds grit to the batting order, but it also raises questions: Can he adapt to Australian conditions after such a long gap? Sarkar's ability to handle pace and bounce will be tested right away. ### Squad Blends Recalls With Fresh Faces Around Sarkar, the batting group is stacked with seasoned players. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Shadman Islam all hold their places, giving captain Najmul Hossain Shanto a middle order with real Test mileage. Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan, and Jaker Ali Anik fill out the remaining batting slots. Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan Miraz takes on the vice-captaincy and a dual role with bat and ball. - **Key batters:** Shanto, Sarkar, Rahim, Haque, Islam - **All-rounder:** Miraz (vice-captain) - **Wicketkeeper:** Jaker Ali Anik Injuries have thinned out the pace options. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury make up the seam attack Bangladesh could field. Uncapped quick Musfik Hasan gets his first taste of national selection—a wildcard pick that could pay off or leave the team exposed. Spin duties fall to Miraz and Taijul Islam, two bowlers who have carried Bangladesh's attack through several series already. ### WTC Table Sharpens the Stakes Where each side sits on the World Test Championship table adds extra weight to this series. Australia lead the standings outright, holding a point percentage of 87.5 after winning the inaugural title back in 2023. Bangladesh sit fourth, at 58.33 percent. A solid result here would push them further up the table at a point in the cycle when every game matters. > "This is a huge opportunity for us to prove we belong at this level," said a team insider. "The conditions won't be easy, but we've prepared for this." Australia have already locked in a strong squad of their own. That sets up a clash between a settled home unit and a Bangladesh side hoping to find early momentum. Pace and bounce have troubled touring teams in Australia for decades. Bangladesh's attack will need to find answers fast if they want to compete. ### Two Tests Set for Darwin and Mackay The series runs across just two matches. Darwin hosts the first, from August 13 to 17. The action then shifts to Mackay for the second Test, played August 22 to 26. Two different venues, two different challenges. Bangladesh will need depth across both to stay competitive through the tour. Points are on the table, and the setting is unfamiliar. Shanto's squad now has to turn its depth on paper into performance on the field. The series opener in Darwin will reveal whether this mix of youth and experience can handle the heat. ### The Full Squad - Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain) - Soumya Sarkar - Shadman Islam - Tanzid Hasan - Mominul Haque - Mushfiqur Rahim - Amite Hasan - Jaker Ali Anik - Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain) - Taijul Islam - Taskin Ahmed - Hasan Mahmud - Syed Khaled Ahmed - Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury - Musfik Hasan For more cricket news and updates, follow [JeetWin Blog](https://jeetwinblog.com) (no follow).