Taskin Ahmed returns as Bangladesh name 15-man squad for first West Indies Test
Synopsis
Taskin Ahmed is back in Bangladesh's Test setup just in time for a home series that could reshape their World Test Championship 2027 campaign. With Bangladesh sitting fourth on 55.56% PCT and two Tests against the West Indies in Mirpur on the line, squad selection — three spinners, four pacers, Soumya Sarkar axed — signals intent.
Key Takeaways
Taskin Ahmed returns to the Bangladesh Test squad, replacing Khaled Ahmed for the first Test against West Indies starting 28 October in Mirpur .
Litton Das is included after recovering from a hip injury that kept him out of the UAE ODI tri-series.
Soumya Sarkar has been dropped; his last Test appearance was in February 2021 .
Nahid Rana is absent due to a side strain; Mehidy Hasan Miraz returns after recovering from viral fever.
Bangladesh are fourth in the WTC 2027 standings with a PCT of 55.56% , behind South Africa's 66.67% .
Taskin Ahmed has been recalled to the Bangladesh squad for the first of two home Test matches against the West Indies, set to begin on 28 October at Mirpur. The right-arm pacer, who was rested for Bangladesh's previous Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, comes in as a direct replacement for Khaled Ahmed in the 15-member squad led by Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Key Returns and Exclusions
White-ball captain Litton Das, who had missed the ODI tri-series in the UAE due to a hip injury, has also been included and will serve as wicketkeeper. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is back after recovering from a viral fever that restricted him to just one appearance in the tri-series.
Meanwhile, Soumya Sarkar has been dropped from the squad after being unused in consecutive matches against Australia and Afghanistan. Notably, his last Test appearance dates back more than five years, to February 2021. Pace bowler Nahid Rana is also absent, reportedly still recovering from a side strain.
Bowling Balance and Pitch Intrigue
Shanto's squad features three specialist spinners and four pace bowlers. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Nayeem Hasan will handle the spin department, while the pace attack comprises Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, and the returning Taskin. The composition raises questions about the surface Bangladesh will prepare for the opener at Mirpur — a venue historically associated with spin-friendly tracks.
Taskin had earlier publicly congratulated Hasan Mahmud on his hat-trick performance in the Afghanistan Test, which ended in a draw widely described as a heroic effort by Afghanistan.
WTC 2027 Final Implications
The two-Test series carries significant weight for Bangladesh's World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 campaign. Bangladesh currently sit in fourth place on the WTC standings, with three wins, one draw, and two losses from six matches, giving them a PCT of 55.56%. They trail South Africa, who occupy third place with a PCT of 66.67% following their recent win over Australia in the second Test.
A strong showing against the West Indies at home could significantly boost Bangladesh's prospects of reaching the WTC final for the first time.
Full Squad
Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Jaker Ali, Litton Das (wk), Mominul Haque, Tanzid Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan.
The first Test gets underway on 28 October in Mirpur, with Bangladesh looking to consolidate their WTC position on home soil.
Point of View
But the three-spinner configuration is the real selection story — it signals Bangladesh intend to prepare a turning track at Mirpur, which would neutralise West Indies' pace threat while playing to their own strengths. Soumya Sarkar's omission, more than five years after his last Test, is effectively a formal close to a Test career that never fully ignited. The WTC context matters: Bangladesh need wins, not draws, and bowling out the opposition twice on a turning surface is their most reliable formula. Whether that approach can hold up against a West Indies side that has shown greater adaptability in Asia is the real question this series will answer.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Taskin Ahmed rested for the Afghanistan Test?
Taskin Ahmed was rested for Bangladesh's Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi as a workload management decision. He has now been recalled for the first West Indies Test at Mirpur starting 28 October.
Why has Soumya Sarkar been dropped from the Bangladesh Test squad?
Soumya Sarkar was dropped after failing to get a game in successive Test squads against Australia and Afghanistan. His last Test cap came in February 2021, more than five years ago.
Where does Bangladesh stand in the WTC 2027 points table?
Bangladesh are currently fourth in the World Test Championship 2027 standings, with a PCT of 55.56% from three wins, one draw, and two losses in six matches. South Africa are just ahead with a PCT of 66.67%.
When and where does the first Bangladesh vs West Indies Test start?
The first Test between Bangladesh and West Indies begins on 28 October in Mirpur. It is the first of a two-match home series for Bangladesh.
Is Nahid Rana available for the West Indies series?
No, Nahid Rana has been left out of the squad as he continues to recover from a side strain. He was not part of the 15-member group selected for the first Test.
