The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the two-Test tour of Pakistan on Sunday, with Shakib Al Hasan included in the 16-member team.
Shakib, who served as the Member of Parliament for the Magura-1 constituency from the Awami League in the last election, is currently in Canada to play in the Major Cricket League.
His inclusion in the squad was uncertain due to widespread criticism of his off-field activities and political affiliations.
Additionally, Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the last Test series against Sri Lanka due to injury, has returned to the Test team for the Pakistan series. He is currently in Pakistan and representing Bangladesh A.
Speedster Taskin Ahmed was rested for the Sri Lanka series, has also been included in the squad for the second Test of the Pakistan series.
Batsman Shahadat Hossain Dipu, the only player from the squad that played against Sri Lanka, has been dropped.
Due to the recent political instability in Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed the BCB that they can conduct practice sessions in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The BCB thankfully accepted the proposal. As a result, Bangladesh's national team tour of Pakistan has been brought forward by four days. The senior team members will now go in Lahore on August 13, instead of the initially planned date of August 17.
The Tigers will play two Tests in Pakistan this year, which are part of the ICC Test Championship. The first Test of the two-match series will be played on August 21 in Rawalpindi, while the second Test is scheduled to begin on August 30 in Karachi.
The Bangladesh A team has already arrived in Pakistan and will play a four-day match and a one-day match against Pakistan Shaheens.
Bangladesh Squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Sadman Islam, Liton Kumar Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Muminul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shariful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
