Tanzim Hasan Sakib gets maiden Test call-up in Taskin Ahmed's absence

Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has got his maiden Test call-up for the first test against Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the news in their press release while stating the squad.

The emerging pacer will replace Taskin Ahmed, who is recovering from the injury he sustained in the series against the West Indies in November 2024. In their statement, BCB confirmed the maiden Test call-up of Sakib. Senior Physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury claimed that Taskin is undergoing rehab and would be unavailable for the entire series.

"Taskin is currently rehabilitating for a left Achilles tendon issue and is not available for the series," BCB's Chowdhury confirmed.

Tanzim is one of the exciting talents in world cricket. The young pacer has made a name for himself at the highest level in his short career so far. The pace bowler was Bangladesh's best bowler in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he claimed 11 wickets at a great bowling average of 13.54, including best bowling figures of 4/7 against Nepal. Given the new move by the BCB board, apart from the senior physician, the chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain also shared his thoughts on the Bangladesh squad and Sakib.

"We have formed the Test team with our best possible players. We are returning to Tests after four months. We have Tests against Sri Lanka in June and we haven't really done that well in home Tests in the last 12 months. This is why we are refraining from experimenting in this Test series," Hossain was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

"Tanzim has shown promise in the white-ball sides. He has shown hunger and ability to take wickets. He has earned his place in the side. We are still observing Ebadot Hossain. We have a lot of cricket coming up, so those who are missing out from the first Test, have no reason to worry," he concluded.

Tanzim's international career so far 

The 22-year-old has represented Bangladesh in 28 matches at the highest level in limited-overs formats. Tanzim Hasan Sakib is a highly skilled bowler with the ability to extract a bit of extra bounce from the surface with good seam movement. He will hope to make an impact in the longest format of the game against Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will play a Test series of two matches. The first of them will take place from the 20th of April 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Likewise, the second match of the series will start on April 28, at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium, in Chattogram.

Also Read: 'Have to adjust and play domestic and international cricket' - Mehidy Hasan on balancing commitments

Bangladesh's squad for first Test vs Zimbabwe - 

Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (VC), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.