Bangladesh have received a timely boost ahead of the opening Test against Australia, with Litton Kumer Das returning to the squad after recovering from a left calf injury.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday confirmed that the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been included in the squad for the first Test, which begins in Darwin on August 13.
Earlier, the BCB had stated that Litton was unlikely to be available for the first Test and was expected to be in contention from the second Test, subject to successfully completing his rehabilitation and receiving fitness clearance.
Litton has been out of action since June after suffering the injury, but has made sufficient progress during his rehabilitation to be considered for selection. He is scheduled to fly to Darwin on Sunday to join the rest of the squad.
His return strengthens Bangladesh’s batting options ahead of their first bilateral Test series in Australia 23 years.
Bangladesh squad for the first Test:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan, Litton Kumer Das.
