Bangladesh Drops Khaled Ahmed from Test Squad for South Africa Series

Bangladesh's Khaled Ahmed Omitted from Test Squad for South Africa Series

Fast bowler Khaled Ahmed has been excluded from Bangladesh's squad for the upcoming first Test against South Africa, scheduled to commence on October 21 in Mirpur. This marks the sole alteration to the 16-man contingent that toured India in September and October.

Ahmed featured in only the second Test against India in Kanpur, where he bowled four overs in the first innings, conceding 43 runs without claiming a wicket. Bangladesh will host South Africa for two Tests, with the second match taking place in Chattogram from October 29.

This series marks the first assignment under interim coach Phil Simmons, who joined the squad on Wednesday following the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) decision to remove Chandika Hathurusinghe from the position due to disciplinary reasons.

Bangladesh currently occupies the seventh position in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, having secured a 2-0 victory in Pakistan and suffered a 2-0 defeat in India. South Africa, on the other hand, stands fifth in the WTC standings, having recently emerged victorious in a two-Test series against the West Indies in August.

Bangladesh Squad for First Test against South Africa:

* Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)

* Shadman Islam

* Mahmudul Hasan Joy

* Zakir Hasan

* Mominul Haque

* Mushfiqur Rahim

* Shakib Al Hasan

* Litton Das

* Jaker Ali

* Mehidy Hasan

* Taijul Islam

* Nayeem Hasan

* Taskin Ahmed

* Hasan Mahmud

* Nahid Rana

Tags: #BangladeshCricket, #SouthAfricaCricket, #WorldTestChampionship, #PhilSimmons, #KhaledAhmed