Mahidul Islam is set to join the Bangladesh national squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe. Mahidul comes as a replacement for the injured wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das.
Mahidul Islam replaces injured Litton Das for Zimbabwe Testhttps://t.co/0dWmCGnC21
— Sports News 24/7 (@Sports247PK) June 21, 2026
The match will be held at Harare Sports Club from June 28, 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the squad change after medical staff determined Litton needed more time to recover.
Why Litton Das is Missing the Zimbabwe Test
Litton Das suffered a left calf strain during a recent One Day International (ODI) series against Australia in Dhaka. This injury has caused him significant trouble over the last few weeks. Initially, the strain forced him to miss the three-match T20I series against Australia in Chattogram. Although fans hoped he would recover quickly, the BCB medical team found that the recovery time was too short for him to reach full fitness.
Bangladesh have suffered a major setback ahead of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe after star wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das was ruled out.#LittonDas https://t.co/kX6E5060b3
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 22, 2026
The medical experts stated that Litton would not be able to handle the physical demands of a five-day Test match. Thus the selectors decided to prioritize his long-term health rather than rush him back to the field. It’s a huge blow to the side as Litton is an experienced player who has featured in 54 matches and scored 3,356 runs in his career.
Litton’s absence affects the team’s leadership and overall stability. He is known for his ability to anchor the batting order and his skill behind the stumps as a wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, the team is already dealing with other absences, as Litton and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed are expected to miss the latter T20I leg of the Zimbabwe tour to play in the Lanka Premier League.
Mahidul Islam Steps in as the Replacement
Litton has been replaced by 27-year-old Mahidul Islam in the Bangladesh National Selection Panel. Mahidul is a wicketkeeper-batter specialist who serves as a replacement for the injured star. This is a huge opportunity for Mahidul to prove his ability at the highest level of international cricket.
Mahidul has not got much experience in Test matches. In fact, he has only played one Test match for Bangladesh before this call-up. He made his debut against South Africa in 2024 when he replaced Jaker Ali, who was out with a concussion. Now, he stands as the only specialist wicketkeeper in the squad for the Harare Test.
The coaching staff hopes that Mahidul can maintain the balance of the team. His ability to both bat and keep wicket means the team can stick to their tactical setup. Therefore, his performance will be crucial for Bangladesh to get a win on foreign soil.
Bangladesh Squad and Tour Schedule
The one-off Test is just the beginning of a long tour for Bangladesh in Zimbabwe. After the red-ball fixture, the teams will play three ODIs and three T20Is in white-ball cricket.
The first group of players and support staff left for Zimbabwe on Sunday. A second group will follow on Wednesday, June 24, to complete the touring party. This group includes players who recently competed in the home series against Australia.
Full Bangladesh Test Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahidul Islam (Wicketkeeper), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Towhid Hridoy, Amite Hasan, Robiul Haque
Coach Phil Simmons on the Team’s Vision
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons remains positive despite the loss of Litton Das. He recently said he was more concerned with the kind of cricket the team played than the score at the end. Simmons wants the players to build a specific “Test identity” that they can carry into tougher series later this year.
The coach pointed to the team’s recent success against Pakistan as a model for how they should play. He believes that if the players keep up their standards and discipline, the results will come. He also sees the Harare Test as an important preparation before the tour of Australia.
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