All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan Retained in Bangladesh Test Squad

Bangladesh has retained all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad for this month's Test series against Pakistan, despite the political backlash he faces after the recent ousting of the country's former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Shakib, who was previously a lawmaker with Hasina's Awami League party, lost his parliamentary seat following the dissolution of parliament amid weeks of mass protests and political turmoil.

Shakib is currently in Canada, participating in a Twenty20 competition, but he is expected to join the Bangladesh squad in Pakistan, where they will play two Test matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 to September 3.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the decision to keep Shakib in the squad based on his cricketing merit. "The emphasis was on picking our best players," said chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain in a statement.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the previous Test series against Sri Lanka, has also been recalled to the squad. Additionally, pacer Taskin Ahmed has been included but will be considered for selection only for the second Test as he has not bowled in a Test match since June of the previous year.

"This is a well-balanced squad," Hossain added. "The likes of Mushfiqur, Mominul (Haque), and Shakib have played 216 matches combined, and there is no substitute for that kind of experience."

Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan is part of the ICC World Test Championship, and the team is set to depart Dhaka on Monday for the series.

Bangladesh Test Squad for Pakistan Tour:

- Najmul Hossain Shanto (Capt)

- Mahmudul Hasan Joy

- Zakir Hasan

- Shadman Islam

- Mominul Haque

- Mushfiqur Rahim

- Shakib Al Hasan

- Liton Das

- Mehidy Hasan Miraz

- Taijul Islam

- Nayeem Hasan

- Nahid Rana

- Shoriful Islam

- Hasan Mahmud

- Taskin Ahmed

- Khaled Ahmed