Mortaza back in Bangladesh test squad to face Australia

DHAKA, Apr 6 (Reuters) A fully-fit Mashrafe Mortaza has been recalled to the Bangladesh test squad for the two-match series against Australia this month, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said today.

The fast bowler played the last of his 18 test matches against England in 2005 but has struggled with a persistent back problem ever since, missing two series against Sri Lanka.

The home side announced their 14-man squad on the same day Australia arrived in Dhaka ahead of the first test starting in Fatullah on Sunday.

''Mortaza is now fully fit and is ready to serve the team,'' chief selector Faruk Ahmed said.

The 22-year-old comes into the side in place of Mushfiqur Rahim, who struggled for form in the home Sri Lanka series that ended last month.

Squad: Habibul Bashar (captain), Khaled Mashud, Javed Omar, Nafees Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Rajin Saleh, Alok Kapali, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Enamul Haque Jr, Shahadat Hossain.

REUTERS DH HT1602