Opener Naim, uncapped Mahfijul called up for South Africa Tests

Uncapped top-order batter Mahfijul Islam has earned his maiden call-up to the national side while Mohammad Naim returns to the Test fray after almost five years as Bangladesh on Monday name a 15-member squad for a two-Test series against South Africa in South Africa.

Mahfijul, who has hit three centuries – one of which was a double hundred – and two half-centuries for Mymensigh Division in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL), was rewarded for his good form, and because he bats right-handed.

“We brought in Robin [Mahfijul] because we needed a right-handed opener,” chief selector Habibul Bashar told the media in a press conference in Sylhet on Monday.

Mahfijul could remain a backup opener in the tour, however, with Naim the likelier candidate to replace Shadman Islam at the top, who was ruled out of the series with an ankle injury.

The left-hander, whose only Test for Bangladesh was back in January 2022 against New Zealand in Christchurch, earned the call-up through his consistent performances in first-class cricket as well as in recent Bangladesh ‘A’ team tours, Bashar said.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was left out after uninspiring performances in the two Tests against West Indies at home, while Amite Hasan was left out without getting a game against the Caribbean side.

Meanwhile, pacer Nahid Rana remains sidelined, in rehabilitation in Australia.

Bangladesh squad for South Africa Tests

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Mahfijul Islam