Bangladesh call up Mustafizur for South Africa Test

Bangladesh on Monday rewarded young left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for an outstanding one-day debut by including him for next week’s first Test against South Africa. The 19-year-old has claimed 16 wickets in his first five matches during which he steered the Tigers to a 2-1 win over former world champions India at home in June.

On Sunday, Mustafizur took three important wickets as Bangladesh thrashed the mighty South Africans by seven wickets to level the three-match series. 

He is the only new face in the 14-man squad announced for the first of two Tests against the Proteas which starts in Chittagong on July 21. “He (Mustafizur) has already shown what he is capable of. He is probably the brightest find for us in recent times,” chief selector Faruque Ahmed told reporters.

“He has been playing in all formats this season and we are confident he will adjust quickly to the demands of Test cricket.”

Faruque added Mohammad Mahmudullah’s return from injury will boost the home team. 

“Mahmudullah’s return adds depth in the batting order and some vital experience. His off-spin can also be effective,” he said. Shuvagata Hom and Abul Hasan, who were part of the squad for 

the drawn one-off Test against India in <g data-gr-id="29">June,</g> made way for Mahmudullah and Mustafizur. 

The second and final Test will be played in Dhaka from July 30. Bangladesh’s Test squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, L Das, M Haque, Shakib Hasan, M Mahmudullah, S Sarkar, N Hossain, <g data-gr-id="25">Taijul</g> Islam, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid, M Rahman.