Rishabh Pant's blistering counterattack capped a chaotic second day of the fifth and final test between Australia and India where 15 wickets fell on Saturday and the star bowler of the series left the Sydney Cricket Ground with an ambulance escort. Yet the Border-Gavaskar trophy still remains very much in the balance as India reached 141-6, holding a 145-run lead over Australia with three days remaining. Australia was bowled out for 181, giving India a four-run lead on the first innings, and could not take advantage of India captain Jasprit Bumrah leaving the SCG for medical scans on a still unspecified injury. Bumrah later returned to the SCG but there was no confirmation on whether the star bowler would be able to bowl in the remainder of the test — or bat in India's second innings. Beau Webster top-scored for the hosts with 57 and a wicket in a bright debut, while Steve Smith narrowly fell short of bringing up 10,000 career test runs in front of his home crowd. Wickets fall at SCG as Australia 101-5 at lunch on Day 2 of 5th test against India Pant then lit up the SCG with a swashbuckling 61 off 33 balls with six boundaries and four sixes to leave the match evenly poised after the end of just the second day. At stumps, Jadeja was eight not out and Washington Sundar was unbeaten on six. Scott Boland backed up his four wickets in India's first innings with four more on Saturday. First, he bowled two near-unplayable deliveries to bowl opening pair KL Rahul (13) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22). Boland (4-42) followed that up by yet again tempting Virat Kohli outside off stump which the veteran guided straight to Smith at slip in what may be the 36-year-old Kohli's final test innings in Australia. Webster (1-24) chalked up his first test wicket, having Shubman Gill (13) caught behind after a wild swipe. Earlier, Australia conceded a four-run deficit as it was bowled out at tea. India star bowler Bumrah taken to hospital for scans during 5th test against Australia Steve Smith (33) and Webster appeared to have stabilized the host's innings after its top order was toppled in quick time by Bumrah (2-33) and Mohammad Siraj (3-51). Bumrah took Labuschagne to go with Khawaja's wicket and took his overall series tally to 32 wickets, the highest ever by an Indian bowler in a single series in Australia, passing spinner Bishan Singh Bedi’s 31 during the 1977-78 series. Australia leads the series 2-1 and must avoid defeat to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15. A win by India and a drawn series at 2-2 would allow the visitors to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time. A win for Australia at the SCG would book the team’s spot in a second straight World Test Championship final where it would play the already-qualified South Africa at Lord’s in June. Absent Sharma says he was not dropped Former India Rohit Sharma has hit back at suggestions he was dropped from the team ahead of the decisive 5th test, saying he made the decision to stand down. The 37-year-old Sharma said that he had initiated the conversation with selectors. “I had a chat with the coach and the selector was very simple,” Rohit said on India's Star Sports. “I am not making runs at the moment. I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. “This was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.”

Australia's star batter of a generation, Steve Smith, fell just short of an illustrious career milestone and a Jasprit Bumrah-led India took the advantage the second day of the fifth and final test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Smith fell five runs short of passing 10,000 test runs just moments before lunch Saturday and capped a tumble of wickets for the hosts as it slipped to 101-5, trailing India's 185 by 84 runs. New India captain Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets each, with Prasidh Krishna picking up the prized wicket of Smith (33). At the break debutant Beau Webster was 28 not out and Alex Carey was unbeaten on four. Resuming Saturday at 9-1, it did not take long for Bumrah (2-27) to again make his influence count as he had Marnus Labuschagne (2) edge behind for his second wicket. The resumption of the burgeoning rivalry between Bumrah and Sam Konstas was what the capacity SCG crowd came to see and it didn't disappoint as the 19-year-old opener charged down the wicket to smash a four straight down the ground past the non-plussed bowler. From Bumrah's next over, Konstas (23) produced a ramp shot — which had featured heavily in his much-hyped debut innings in Melbourne — for another boundary. But the young player's luck ran out in the next over from Siraj (2-28) when a thick edge carried to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. Siraj also removed Travis Head (4) in the same over as Australia slid to 39-4. India star bowler Bumrah taken to hospital for scans during 5th test against Australia Smith and Webster combined to stabilize Australia's innings with a 57-run stand but just as the pair looked to have the measure of India's second-line bowlers, a seaming delivery from Krishna (1-21) found the edge and was snaffled by KL Rahul at slip. On Friday, despite the absence of struggling captain Rohit Sharma, India’s batting order again crumbled as it was bowled out for 185 with Scott Boland taking 4-31. Bumrah then struck with the final ball of the to cap a drama-fueled final over which saw Konstas and the new tourist skipper needing to be separated after a terse verbal exchange just two balls prior. Australia leads the series 2-1 and must avoid defeat to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15. A win by India and a drawn series at 2-2 would allow the visitors to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time. A win for Australia at the SCG would book the team’s spot in a second straight World Test Championship final where it would play the already-qualified South Africa at Lord’s in June.

India was 167-6 at lunch Tuesday on the fourth day and still trailing Australia by 278 runs in its first innings in the rain-plagued third cricket test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Australia scored 445 runs in its first innings after only 13 overs were bowled on the first day Saturday and after there were eight stoppages of play due to rain on the third day Monday. That continued Tuesday morning and rain returned to delay the start of play after lunch. Kane Williamson makes 156 as New Zealand sets England 658 to win the 3rd test Ravindra Jadega on 41 was one of the not-out batters. KL Rahul top-scored for India with 84 runs before being caught by Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon's bowling, while Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins have taken two wickets each for Australia. Australia could be a bowler down for the remainder of the test after Josh Hazlewood suffered calf soreness ahead of the fourth day’s play and was only able to send down one over before leaving the field. Hazlewood, who missed the second Adelaide test due to side soreness, was late entering the field at the start of play and then looked labored when he came into the attack. India won the first test by 295 runs at Perth, while Australia came back to win the second day-night test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.

Amidst concerns over facing possible public anger for his role in the student-led protests that ousted Bangladesh’s iron-fisted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan said he is not coming home to play a Test match in Dhaka, which he said his last match in the format.  This made the last Test of the series between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur the last Test of Shakib’s career.  Before that match in Kanpur, Shakib announced his retirement from the longest format of international cricket and expressed his desire to play his last Test in front of the home crowd in Dhaka. But this wish is about to remain unfulfilled.  In an interview with bdnews24 from Dubai, Shakib—on a transit stop during his journey back—addressed his change of plans. “I was supposed to return home, but now I might not be able to do so due to security issues, for my own safety,” he said. It’s clear that Shakib was forced to cancel his plan due to ongoing protests about his homecoming. A group of protesting students burned his effigy on Wednesday at the University of Dhaka. Another group planned to submit a letter to BCB urging them to prevent Shakib from entering the stadium. Shakib's silence during the student-led protest against the Sheikh Hasina government led to this situation. The toppled administration led by Sheikh Hasina tried to quell the protest using deadly weapons that eventually left at least 1000 killed.  Shakib’s homecoming in limbo as protest threat looms large Despite being one of the most celebrated cricketers in Bangladesh’s history, Shakib was silent during the protests, which triggered an angry reaction from the protesting students, who expected Shakib to stand by them. But Shakib, who was also a member of the Awami League government, posted his happy pictures on social media during the protests, which  fueled the anger against him.  When Shakib announced his retirement in Kanpur, he also expressed concerns about his safety if he returned home. He urged the board to ensure his safety during his stay in Dhaka. But the board and the sports ministry reacted in tough words. The sports ministry was led by a student leader, Asif Mahmud, who was among the top organizers of the porters. He is one of the two student leaders who were appointed as advisers in the current interim government.  Later, the sports adviser said they would ensure security for Shakib when he returned home. However, the government changed its stance in reaction to the ongoing protests against Shakib.  A high-ranking government official confirmed Wednesday night that Shakib was advised to forgo his plan to return due to the current political climate. This situation suggests that Shakib’s Test career may now have reached an unofficial end.  

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's most accomplished cricketer, finds himself at the center of a swirling debate regarding his commitment to the national team. His return to the team for the second Test starting tomorrow against Sri Lanka, after missing earlier matches in the series, has reignited questions about his priorities and the impact his sporadic appearances have on the team. The left-handed all-rounder last appeared in a First-Class match a year ago, during a Test against Ireland in Dhaka. Now, after a year-long hiatus from the longest format of cricket, he is set to play another Test without any intervening First-Class appearances. He has not played any international matches in 2024, despite Bangladesh having played seven matches. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, his abrupt end to the 2023 World Cup was due to a finger injury, which also caused him to miss the home Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent away T20I and ODI series against the same opponent following Bangladesh's disastrous World Cup outing. Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye Shakib's undeniable talent and past contributions are unquestioned. He is a genuine all-rounder, capable of winning matches with both bat and ball. However, in recent years, his appearances for the national team have been inconsistent, with breaks taken for personal reasons, injuries, and even political activities (while the Bangladesh team was busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand late last year, Shakib was actively campaigning for the national election in his constituency, Magura district). This inconsistency has led to a sense of unease and frustration among fans and experts alike. During the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shakib faced an eye issue that required medical attention. This issue reportedly affected him during the World Cup, contributing to his lean batting display, as he hinted in an interview with a cricket website. Despite this, he continued playing in the BPL, leading to rumors that he would take a break after the tournament. However, even before the BPL concluded, he contradicted earlier statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by claiming that he had no issues with his eyes. Shakib Al Hasan named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2023 Ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Shakib declared himself available, and the BCB promptly included him in the squad. This sudden turnaround has raised eyebrows and fueled the perception that Shakib dictates his own terms when it comes to playing for the national team. With his standout performances over the years, he made himself a difficult figure to criticize, though, the performance doesn't. His absence from the earlier matches of the Sri Lanka series was attributed to personal activities, including brand endorsements. While these pursuits are understandable, their prioritization over national duty has left some questioning his commitment. The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies Shakib's leadership during the 2023 World Cup, which he himself acknowledged as one of Bangladesh's worst performances in the tournament, also comes under scrutiny. The team lost seven out of nine matches, including a shocking defeat to the Netherlands. This poor showing has led some to question his captaincy and ability to lead the team effectively. Now, with his return for the second Test, Shakib's intentions and potential contribution are under the microscope. Is he returning to be the savior of a struggling team who lost the first Test by a margin of over 300 runs, or will his sporadic appearances further disrupt the rhythm and morale that the team is trying to build? There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the one hand, Shakib's talent and experience are undeniable assets to the team. His presence can boost the morale of the players and provide much-needed stability in the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, his inconsistent availability can disrupt team dynamics and make it difficult for the team management to build a cohesive unit. Ultimately, the question of whether Shakib, in recent years, is a savior or disruptor for the Bangladesh national team remains open. His performance in the upcoming Test and his future commitment to the team will be crucial in determining the answer.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the FTP (Future Tour Program) for the next 4 years which starts in 2023 and will end in the year 2027. During this period, Bangladesh Men’s Cricket Team will play over 150 matches. Tigers will start their international campaign, after playing BPL (Bangladesh Premier League), a franchise cricket league organized by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), starting from the 19th of January to the 1st Of March. This article will discuss the complete FTP schedule of the Bangladesh Cricket Team for 2024. Breakdown Of 2024 FTP of Bangladesh Men’s Cricket Team In 2024, Bangladesh Men's Cricket Team will have a very busy schedule, as they will play 14 Tests, 9 ODI, and 17 T2OI (including a T20 World Cup).  It is a big year for the team as they don’t play Test cricket that much.  Also with the big event, the International Twenty20 World Cup, which will take place this year in the West Indies and USA, Bangladesh cricket fans can look forward to another year of exciting cricket.  Read more: Bangladesh Men’s Test Cricket in 2023: Performance Analysis Table: Bangladesh Men’s Cricket Team FTP For 2024 Duration  Series  Series Details Venue Feb-March 2024 Sri Lanka Tour Of Bangladesh 2 Tests, 3 ODI’s, 3 T20I’s Bangladesh April 2024 Zimbabwe Tour Of Bangladesh 2 Tests, 5 T20I’s Bangladesh June 2024 ICC T20 World Cup 2024   West Indies, USA  July-August 2024 Bangladesh Tour Of Afghanistan 2 Tests, 3 ODI’s, 3 T20I’s Afghanistan Aug-Sep 2024 Bangladesh Tour Of Pakistan 2 Tests Pakistan Sep-Oct  2024 Bangladesh Tour Of India 2 Tests 3 T20I’s India Oct-Nov 2024 South Africa Tour Of Bangladesh 2 Tests Bangladesh Nov - Dec 2024 Bangladesh Tour of West Indies 2 Tests, 3 ODI’s, 3 T20I’s West Indies Read more: Was 2023 a Good or Bad Year for Bangladesh Cricket? Here’s What Stats Say

After losing two back-to-back Tests against Australia, Pakistan will look to overcome their lackings, win the last Test match, and start the new year on a positive note.  Before the final Test match, let’s have a look at the preview, which will take place on Wednesday, January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground at 12 pm Bangladesh time ( Local Time 05:30 am). It will be the last match of the series, an important one for Pakistan, as their mediocre tour in Australia continues over two decades. Preview of Pakistan vs Australia Third Test Match in 2023  Although they lost both matches, Pakistan showed promise at the start. But lack of inconsistency, and poor performance from the batters, led to a bad ending. Overview of PAK vs AUS First Test The 1st Test was played from the 14th to the 17th of December at Perth.  Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Australia scored 487 runs after getting all-out. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh put up a strong 360-run partnership. Warner and Marsh scored 164 and 90 runs respectively.  Debutant Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal impressed the most as they took 12 wickets combined out of the total 15 wickets Pakistan took in the match. Pakistan team made a good start, as Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique scored 60 and 42 respectively. But soon they started to crumble consistently. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets. Besides, Cummins and Starc chipped in with 2 wickets each. Australia declared their second innings after scoring 232 runs, losing 5 wickets, and set a massive target of 450 runs.  Mitchell Marsh was adjudged man of the match. Pakistan in reply, collapsed heavily, scoring only 89 runs, facing the heaviest defeat of 360 runs. Skipper Pat Cummins took 5 wickets. Lyon contributed with the ball again, taking 3 wickets.   Read more: Bangladesh Cricket in 2023: Men’s ODI Series- Performance Analysis Overview of PAK vs AUS Second Test After a heavy defeat, Pakistan faced Australia on the 26th of December in Melbourne.  Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl. Australia scored only 318 runs. Marnus Labuschagne scored 63 runs. Aamer Jamal took 3 wickets, while Shaheen, Hamza, and Ali took 2 wickets each. Pakistan managed to score only 264 runs. Scoring 62 runs, Abdullah Shafique made a good start. Shan Maqsood, captain also scored a half-century. Cummin's outstanding bowling picked up 5 wickets, while Lyon took 4 wickets.  Australia could not start their second innings as expected. They lost 4 wickets in a very short time with a score of 16 runs on the board.  Mitchell Marsh steadied the innings with Steve Smith, putting up a partnership of 153 runs. Still, Australia managed to score only 262 runs, setting a total of 317 runs for Pakistanis to chase. Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Alex Carrey scored 96, 50 and 53 runs respectively. Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza took 4 wickets each and restricted the Aussies to a score that would be easy to chase down in the last innings. Pakistan batted their second innings with clear intent to win the match and level the score 1-1.   But unfortunately, they could not chase down the total, getting all out for just 237 runs. Shan Maqsood,  Babar Azam, and  Agha Salman scored 61 runs, 41 runs, and 50 runs respectively giving some hope to win the match.   Pat Cummins was too much to handle, as he bagged another 5, ending the match with 10 wickets.  He was awarded the Man of the Match award. Read more: Was 2023 a Good or Bad Year for Bangladesh Cricket? Here’s What Stats Say Pakistan vs Australia Head-to-Head Records In Test Matches Won by Australia Won by Pakistan Tied N/R 70 34 15  20 01 Australia is way ahead of Pakistan in Tests, winning 34 matches, whereas Pakistan only won 15 matches. Probable Australia Test Squad Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Lance Morris, Scott Boland, and Josh Hazlewood. Probable Pakistan Test Squad  Shan Masood(c), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Aamer Jamal, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf,  Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Mir Hamza, and Khurram Shahzad. Final Verdict After taking the series 2-0, Australia will look forward to winning the last match and wrap up the series with a clean sweep of, 3-0. Before this series, Australia were dominating with 34 wins against Pakistan overall.  Pakistan only won 15 against Aussies. And, they have lost the ongoing series. Still, they will try to end the 2023 PAK vs AUS Test Series with a win and start their new year 2024 with a fresh approach.  Read more: Bangladesh Men’s Test Cricket in 2023: Performance Analysis

Despite a mediocre ODI performance in 2023, Bangladesh performed well in the Test arena. This year, Bangladesh Men’s Test squad won 3 out of 4 test matches. With a combination of new and experienced players, Bangladesh managed to achieve these successes. Here is an analysis of the Bangladesh Men’s Test cricket in the year 2023.    2023 Tests by Bangladesh Men’s National Cricket Team  Bangladesh played 4 tests in 2023. All of these tournaments took place within the country. They won 3 matches comfortably and lost one match. Performance Of Bangladesh Men’s Test Squad in 2023 Bangladesh Vs Ireland (at home) Bangladesh vs Ireland Test match was held from the 4th to the 8th of April at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.   In the 1st Test match, Ireland won the toss and chose to bat.  Ireland were all out for just 214 runs in 77. 2 overs on the first day. Harry Tector scored a well-fought fifty before getting out. Taijul Islam picked up 5 wickets, while Miraz and Ebadot got 2 wickets each.  Bangladesh batted till they were all out for 369 in their first innings, Mushfiq scored 126  and Shakib scored 87. In their second innings, Ireland lost 4 quick wickets for just 13 runs. However, they fought back and thanks to Lorcan Tucker's memorable 108 runs led the Irish, putting up a score of 292 before getting bowled out. Taijul picked up 4 wickets in the second innings, and 9 wickets in the match overall. In the fourth innings, Bangladesh only needed 138 runs to secure a victory against Ireland.  The Tigers won the match, losing only 3 wickets and finishing the match on the fourth day. Mushfiq scored a half-century and got the Man of the Match award for his overall contribution to the team. Read more: Was 2023 a Good or Bad Year for Bangladesh Cricket? Here’s What Stats Say Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan (at home) Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match took place at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from 14 to 18th of June.  Winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bowl first. Bangladesh were all out for 382 runs in 86 overs. Shanto was the top scorer with 146 runs. Afghanistan scored 146 runs in their first innings before they were bowled out. Ebadot Hossain took 4 wickets, whereas Shoriful, Taijul, and Miraz took 2 wickets each.   Instead of pushing Afghanistan to follow on, Bangladesh decided to bat for the 2nd innings. Tigers made a massive score of 425 runs losing only 4 wickets.  Shanto made the match more memorable, scoring two centuries. Mominul also scored a century.  Afghanistan got a target of 662 runs. Batting in their second innings they didn't stand a chance as they were only able to get 115 runs, facing the heaviest defeat of 546 runs.  Taskin Ahmed took 4 wickets in the last innings, Shoriful took 3 wickets, while Miraz and Ebadot took 1 wicket each. Throughout the Test match, Bangladesh fast bowlers took 14 wickets, so far the highest record for them.  Nazmul Hossain Shanto, was awarded the man of the match for scoring two centuries in one Test match.

The inaugural Test of the two-match series between hosts Bangladesh and the touring New Zealand is set to kick off on Tuesday at Sylhet International Stadium. This series marks the commencement of the new cycle of the World Test Championship, serving as both Bangladesh's first match and first home encounter in this event. Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in this series in the absence of the regular captain Shakib Al Hasan, who was sidelined due to a finger injury sustained during the World Cup. This marks Shanto's debut as the Test captain, having previously led the team in ODIs in Shakib's absence during the World Cup. Papon offers only vague details of meeting with Tamim  “I feel that I’m ready to lead Bangladesh in all formats,” Shanto expressed in Sylhet during the pre-match press conference. “It would be beneficial if the next captain is appointed for a longer period so that he can plan accordingly.” In his inaugural Test as captain, Shanto aims for a victory and asserts that Bangladesh should plan to win all home matches in the new World Test Championship cycle.  “We will have to win the home matches of the WTC and try our best to fight harder in the away matches,” he emphasized. In the previous WTC cycle (2021-2023), Bangladesh secured only one victory in 12 matches. Their last international event was the World Cup in India, where they fell short of expectations, winning only two out of nine matches. However, Shanto expresses hope for a comeback as they enter a new format. Preview of 2023 BAN vs NZ 1st Test Match in Sylhet New Zealand, having played their last Test earlier this year, is eager to make a comeback to Test cricket. Tim Southee, the New Zealand captain, acknowledges the challenge of playing against Bangladesh in Bangladesh.  “The start of the new cycle is exciting. It is a tough place to play Tests. Bangladesh is strong in these conditions. The last cycle didn’t go as well as we planned,” Southee remarked. Despite one historic Test win against New Zealand last year at Mount Maunganui by eight wickets, Bangladesh's overall Test record against New Zealand remains largely insignificant, with just one win in 17 Tests. Southee hints that New Zealand aims to maintain its dominance in this series, relying on their spin arsenal.  “Pace plays a big role in New Zealand. Spin historically plays a big role in this part of the world. Our spinners have done some great things in Tests. We are looking forward to them showcasing their skills,” Southee said. Ticket prices unveiled for Bangladesh vs New Zealand test match in Sylhet Bangladesh will miss the services of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib in this series. Tamim has been out of cricket for an extended period, while Shakib is sidelined due to a finger injury. Bangladesh's captain acknowledges the absence of Shakib and also notes the absence of Litton Das, who is unavailable due to family reasons. Southee, the New Zealand captain, acknowledges the significance of the absence of these key players for Bangladesh, stating, “Shakib has been a great player for Bangladesh for a long time. Litton is a class player. He has done well against us in the past. I guess it is a miss for them not having those guys.”

Following a break due to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand is going to resume its tour of Bangladesh. Previously, the Kiwis secured a 2-0 victory in the three-match ODI series (with the first match being canceled due to rain) and are now prepared for a two-test series set to start on Tuesday, November 28, at 9:30 am Bangladesh time. The 2023 BAN vs NZ 1st Test match will be played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Preview of Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test Match Bangladesh appointed left-handed batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto as the captain for the Test format. This marks Shanto's debut as the leader of the test side, building on his previous experience as captain during the ODI Cricket World Cup in India when Shakib Al Hasan was sidelined due to injury. Regrettably, Bangladesh will be without the pacer Taskin Ahmed, who is currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Additionally, Shakib Al Hasan, the usual Test captain, is unavailable following a finger injury sustained during the World Cup encounter against Sri Lanka. Liton Das has taken a leave to spend time with his newborn daughter. Shadman Islam and Nurul Hasan Sohan returned to the team after a long time. Shadman last played a Test for the national team against the West Indies in April last year. In addition, Sohan's most recent appearance was in December against India. Both players feature prominently among the top five run-scorers in the current National League season. Sohan, positioned at number two, has accumulated an impressive total of 435 runs in 9 innings across 6 matches. On the other hand, Sadman's scored 411 runs in 8 innings of 5 matches. Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to lead the batting lineup, partnering with Mominul Haque, Shadman Islam, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Additionally, the all-rounder roles will be carried out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shahadat Hossain. Taijul Islam will lead the bowling department, with support from Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed, who made his ODI debut in the last series. Hasan Murad has earned his maiden call-up to the Test team. Murad consistently showed his skills in domestic cricket, catching the attention of selectors. Currently, he ranks among the top 10 wicket-takers in the ongoing National Cricket League. Given his performance and potential, the selectors saw fit to include the left-arm spinner, a member of the Youth World Cup-winning team, in the Test squad against New Zealand. On the other hand, Tim Southee will be the captain for the Kiwis, and the team will feature players like Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Mitchell Santner. Rachin Ravindra, who had an outstanding World Cup in 2023, is back in the Test squad after last playing against Bangladesh in January 2022. Neil Wagner joined the New Zealand Test squad on November 17, 2023, filling in for the injured Matt Henry. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Top Performers in Batting, Bowling and Fielding At a Glance Bangladesh Test Squad Against New Zealand Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shahadat Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mominul Haque, Hasan Murad, and Nayeem Hasan. New Zealand Test Squad Against Bangladesh Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Neil Wagner. Bangladesh vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in Test New Zealand and Bangladesh have contested 17 Test matches, with the Kiwis emerging victorious in 13 encounters. Bangladesh managed to clinch victory in only one match. Three of the test matches were drawn. In their last series in 2021-2022, the Tigers managed to draw against New Zealand in an away series. Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone with their maiden Test win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on December 31, 2021. Read more: New Zealand tour of Bangladesh in 2023-2024 Table: BAN vs NZ H-to-H Test Stats So Far Total Test Matches Bangladesh Win New Zealand Win Draw 17 1 13 3 Key Bangladeshi Players to Watch Mushfiqur Rahim Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 442 runs in nine Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 34. During these matches, he has hit one century and two half-centuries. So, he might use his previous experience against the Kiwis/ Najmul Hossian Shanto Shanto is one of the leading run-scorers for Bangladesh in Test cricket this year, scoring 274 runs at an impressive average of 68.50 in two matches, including two centuries. Against New Zealand, he has scored 144 runs from three matches. Mehidy Hasan Miraz Miraz has played 5 test matches against New Zealand and grabbed 10 wickets. He also scored 81 runs for Bangladesh. His all-round skills have improved since his last meeting with New Zealand in January 2022. So, he will surely make some impact. Key New Zealand Players to Watch Tom Latham Tom Latham is the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand against Bangladesh, having accumulated 734 runs in six Tests at an outstanding average of 91.75. During these matches, he has scored three centuries and a single fifty, with a highest score of 252. Neil Wagner Neil Wagner stands as New Zealand's second-highest wicket-taker against Bangladesh in a test, having secured 39 wickets. So, Bangladeshi batters will have to play Wagner carefully. Final Words With both teams making strategic adjustments and adding a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, the cricketing stage is set for a fascinating match. Bangladesh, led by debutant Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, face challenges with key players unavailable due to injuries and personal reasons. On the other hand, New Zealand, under the captaincy of Tim Southee, bring a challenging lineup that includes the returning Rachin Ravindra and the experienced Tom Latham. Read more: Ticket prices unveiled for Bangladesh vs New Zealand test match in Sylhet