Hridoy, Jaker back as Taskin gets rest for Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh have brought Tawhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali Anik back into the Test setup for their one-off match against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates, while pacer Taskin Ahmed has been left out as part of the team's workload management.

The changes form part of Bangladesh's preparations for the Test, which begins in Abu Dhabi on October 9. Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the 15-member squad, with the selectors opting for a combination that includes both recent performers and established Test players.

Hridoy earned his recall after producing a record-breaking 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom. The innings, scored in a four-day match earlier in September, strengthened his case for another opportunity in the longer format after he was omitted from Bangladesh's squad for the subsequent Australia tour.

Jaker also returns following his performances for Bangladesh A. His inclusion gives Bangladesh an additional wicketkeeping option behind Litton Das and adds another middle-order batting choice.

Taskin's absence, meanwhile, is understood to be part of the selectors' longer-term workload planning. Chief selector Habibul Bashar said the pacer had been rested so that he could be kept in the best possible condition for Bangladesh's more important upcoming World Test Championship assignments.

Bangladesh's pace attack for the Afghanistan Test therefore includes Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury and Shoriful Islam. Nahid Rana remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury.

The selectors have retained Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam as the main spin options, while Nayeem Hasan, Mushfik Hasan and Iqbal Hossain Emon are travelling reserves.

The Afghanistan Test will be Bangladesh's first red-ball assignment in the UAE. The team is also scheduled to play an ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe later in October.

For Hridoy and Jaker, the match represents another chance to establish themselves in Bangladesh's Test plans, while Taskin's absence underlines the team management's focus on managing its fast-bowling resources ahead of a demanding international schedule.