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Just days before the start of their Zimbabwe tour, Bangladesh have been forced into an important change. Litton Das, one of the side's most experienced batters and first-choice wicketkeeper, has been ruled out of the one-off Test, leaving the visitors with a gap that needs to be filled both behind the stumps and in the batting order.
The timing couldn't have been worse. Bangladesh are looking to build momentum in Test cricket after showing encouraging signs in recent months, and Litton Das' absence removes a player capable of changing the course of a match with both bat and gloves. The selectors have turned to Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan as cover, and the 27-year-old now has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the longest format.
Why Litton Das will miss the Zimbabwe Test and what it means for Bangladesh
Bangladesh have suffered a major blow ahead of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with in-form wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das ruled out due to a calf injury.
Litton Das, who also missed the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Australia in Chattogram after sustaining the injury during the ODI leg in Dhaka, has been replaced in the squad by Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan.
"Das is recovering from a left calf strain and has already missed the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. The BCB Medical Team has assessed his condition and is of the opinion that the batsman will struggle to attain match fitness for the Test within the available timeframe," the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said in a statement.
"The BCB National Selection Panel has called up 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan as Das's replacement in the Test squad," it added.
The tour begins with the one-off Test at Harare Sports Club on June 28 before the teams meet in three ODIs and three T20Is. Bangladesh will hope Litton Das' recovery progresses quickly, especially with a packed international schedule still to come later in the year.
"The last two matches against Pakistan showed how we want to play Test cricket" - Phil Simmons
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons believes the focus should remain on maintaining standards rather than worrying about the opposition.
"These days, I don't worry about those things," Simmons said when asked about winning or losing against Zimbabwe. "The thing is that we've started playing cricket in a way that we want to play it, especially in Test cricket.
"The last two matches against Pakistan showed how we want to play Test cricket. That's the way we're going to go to Zimbabwe and try to play. Whether you're playing Zimbabwe or England, you're playing Test cricket and you have to play to a certain standard.
"If you're playing ODI or T20 cricket, you also have to play to a certain standard. It doesn't matter who you're playing against. That's how I look at it."
Simmons also sees the Zimbabwe assignment as an important stepping stone before Bangladesh's much tougher challenges later in the year.
"It's good preparation for the Australia Test series. But there's work to be done when the Test boys come back. We have time before we go to Australia. There's more work to be done before we go there. Australia is a different proposition from Zimbabwe. Right now, though, we're concentrating on the Zimbabwe Test match."
Bangladesh's likely Playing XI after Litton Das was ruled out of Zimbabwe Test
Litton Das' injury almost certainly opens the door for Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan. The wicketkeeper's only Test appearance came against South Africa, but with no other specialist keeper in the squad, he is expected to walk straight into the XI.
The rest of the batting unit largely picks itself. Shadman Islam and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto should open the innings, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy likely to slot in at No. 3. Bangladesh are unlikely to break up the experienced middle-order trio of Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy.
Harare traditionally offers assistance to spinners as the game progresses, which could encourage Bangladesh to field two frontline tweakers. Taijul Islam remains an automatic selection, while Nayeem Hasan gives the visitors another wicket-taking option. Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed are expected to lead the pace attack, although Ebadot Hossain will be pushing hard for a recall after returning from injury.
Bangladesh's likely XI vs Zimbabwe
Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed.
Bangladesh Test squad vs Zimbabwe
Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Amite Hasan, Robiul Haque
