Bangladesh Test Line‑up Set for Johannesburg and Centurion Matches

Dhaka – The Bangladesh cricket team has finalized its Test line‑up for the November series against South Africa. Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, the side includes uncapped opener Mahfizul Islam and a returning Mohammad Naim to strengthen the batting order.

The opening match will be played on 15 November in Johannesburg, with the second Test following on 23 November at Centurion. After the two Tests, the tour schedule progresses to three One‑Day Internationals and three Twenty‑20 International games.

In the domestic National Cricket League, Mahfizul Islam has accumulated 672 runs in ten innings, boasting three centuries and a double‑hundred. Mohammad Naim has recorded 612 runs from seven innings, highlighted by one double‑century and two more hundreds, making both of them the league’s top run‑scorers.

Both batsmen previously toured South Africa earlier this year – Mahfizul with the Bangladesh Emerging team and Naim with Bangladesh A – gaining firsthand experience of the pitches and conditions. The squad also welcomes fast‑bowling options Khalid Ahmed and Mominul Haque, the latter after recovering from a concussion.

Veteran pacer Nahid Rana remains out due to a lingering labrum injury, and spinner Naeem Hassan along with wicket‑keeper Amit Hassan are omitted from this selection, allowing fresh faces to make their mark.