Soumya Sarkar recalled as Bangladesh announce squad for 1st Test against Australia

Soumya Sarkar has been recalled to the red‑ball team as Bangladesh announced a 15‑player squad for the first of the two‑match Test series against Australia. Right‑arm medium pacer Musfik Hasan has earned his maiden call‑up, while Jaker Ali has also received a recall.

Musfik, 23, has bagged 57 wickets in 17 first‑class games at an average of 22.82, including three five‑wicket hauls. Both Soumya and Jaker’s recall make for an interesting case.

Soumya last played a Test against West Indies in February 2021 in Mirpur. Between February 2021 and July 2026, he featured in 27 first‑class games, averaging 44.47 with three centuries, though he was not among the most prolific run‑scorers. The southpaw has not been convincing in ODIs either.

In seven games played this year, Soumya has managed just a solitary fifty, averaging 21.42. Overall, he has amassed 831 runs in 16 matches at an average of 27.70, including a hundred and four fifties.

Jaker’s selection raises more eyebrows. The 28‑year‑old’s last Test appearance came against Sri Lanka in Galle in June 2025. During his time away from the Test side, the wicketkeeper‑batter played only one first‑class game and did not bat.

Vice‑captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and pacer Taskin Ahmed have also been added to the squad after being rested for the one‑off Test against Zimbabwe a few weeks ago, which Bangladesh lost by an innings and 85 runs.

Off‑spinner Nayeem Hasan, pacer Robiul Haque, wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam, middle‑order batter Towhid Hridoy, and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy have been left out of the squad that was picked for the Zimbabwe Test.

Bangladesh’s chances of winning in Australia have suffered a massive dent as pacer Nahid Rana has been ruled out with injury, along with left‑arm seamer Shoriful Islam. First‑choice wicketkeeper Litton Das is also nursing an injury.

Bangladesh squad for 1st Test against Australia  

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan (wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Musfik Hasan

Bangladesh's tour of Australia 2026