Bangladesh call up uncapped Mahfijul Islam in 16-member squad for South Africa Tests

Bangladesh have handed a first Test call-up to opener Mahfijul Islam for the two-match series against South Africa, with the opening Test scheduled to begin November 15 in Johannesburg and the second starting November 23 in Centurion. The selectors announced a 16-member squad on November 9, 2026, with Najmul Hossain Shanto continuing as captain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz as vice-captain.

Mahfijul's inclusion follows a productive domestic campaign in the 28th National Cricket League, where he accumulated 672 runs across 10 innings for Mymensingh at an average of 74.67, a tally that included an unbeaten 217 against Chattogram. Chief selector Habibul Bashar confirmed that the right-handed opener had also impressed during Bangladesh A commitments ahead of the tour.

Shadman Islam was ruled out of the squad after sustaining an ankle injury during the Test against West Indies in Sylhet, creating the vacancy that Mahfijul has filled. Opener Mohammad Naim has also been recalled, returning to the Test setup for the first time since Bangladesh's match against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2022, a gap of four years. Mominul Haque returns to the squad after missing the second Test against West Indies due to a concussion. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan and Amite Hasan were not retained, while pacer Khaled Ahmed has been recalled to the 16-member group. The tour also includes three ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa.

Why was Mahfijul Islam selected ahead of other openers?

The selectors had initially considered a different candidate for the opening slot before settling on Mahfijul. Chief selector Habibul Bashar explained that Mahmudul Hasan Joy had been the preferred choice, but Joy was ruled out on medical grounds the afternoon before the squad was announced, which is why the announcement was delayed. Bashar also addressed Mahfijul's readiness for Test cricket, noting his performances at first-class level and with the Bangladesh A side.

"We had another opener in mind, to be honest. That's why it took us a little longer to announce the team. We had thought about Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Unfortunately, he was ruled out yesterday afternoon on medical grounds. Robin [Mahfijul] seemed ready to us because he played well in the South Africa series. He went with the A team, and he performed reasonably well. And now, looking at his batting, it seems he is very, very organized. If we want to produce a right-handed opener, it seems to me that this is the best time. We actually wanted to give Robin a little more time to get ready. So I think he proved himself. We saw him in first-class, we saw him play for the A team, where he looked very promising," Bashar said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Who else features in Bangladesh's squad for the South Africa Tests?

The full 16-member squad retains several experienced names alongside the new faces. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali Anik are all included in the batting group, while Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain form the core of the pace and spin attack alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the recalled Khaled Ahmed.

Pacer Nahid Rana is absent from the squad due to a labrum tear injury, adding to the list of unavailable players alongside Shadman and Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Bangladesh squad for the two Tests vs South Africa:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Naim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed and Mahfijul Islam.