Gazi, Hasan new faces in Tigers squad to face Windies

Chanderpaul, Deonarine, Fudadin practise catching skills yesterday. (WICB photo)

DHAKA, Bangladesh,  CMC – The uncapped duo of Shohag Gazi and Abul Hasan have been named in a 14-man Bangladesh squad for the first Test against West Indies starting Tuesday.

Gazi, who bowls off-spin and Hasan, a medium pacer, will join a predictable unit led by plucky wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

“I’m really delighted to be given a chance in the side. All the hard work I’ve put in over the last three or four years has paid off,” the 21-year-old Gazi told reporters here yesterday.

“I’m now dreaming of getting the wickets of Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. I also hope to put up a good performance against the strong West Indies batting line-up if I can into in the playing XI.”

Chanderpaul, Deonarine, Fudadin practise catching skills yesterday. (WICB photo)

Gazi grabbed the attention of selectors with his form in the National Cricket League where he has taken 11 wickets in two matches and stroked a century. Overall, he has taken 87 wickets in 18 first class matches at an average of 24 apiece.

The 20-year-old Hasan, meanwhile, has claimed eight wickets from six first class matches in a fledgling career. He has already played four Twenty20 Internationals.

Seamer Rubel Hossain has been included in the side for the first time in almost a year after recovering following surgery on an injured shoulder but the experienced duo of Mohammad Ashraful and Abdur Razzak have been overlooked.

SQUAD – Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah (vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem Islam, Nazim Uddin, Nasir Hossain, Mohammed Elias, Shahadat Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Shohag Gazi.