Bangladesh selector admits 'desperation' after Soumya Sarkar recall for Australia Tests

Soumya's last appearance in Test cricket was in February 2021 but the opener was a regular in the ODI series on the recent tour to Zimbabwe, where he scored 69 in the final game.

What makes the 33-year-old left-handed batter's selection even more interesting is that he has not been among the leading run-scorers in domestic first-class matches in his time away from the national team.

"You can say that there was a bit of desperation," Bashar said. "To be honest, those who made runs in the NCL are new players. Zakir Hasan had played Tests before, but we felt Soumya had more familiarity with playing pace bowling.

"None of our players in the pipeline are ready. We have to give the likes of Shibli (Ariful Islam) and Pritom Kumar a year or two."

The Tigers suffered a big blow when it was confirmed that leading fast bowler Nahid Rana will miss the series in Australia due to a side strain.

While admitting the Rana's absence is a regret, Bashar has faith in the pace-bowling group, led by Taskin Ahmed, to deliver Down Under.

"Nahid is a special bowler who has done special things this year. We will regret not having him in Australia, but it can't be the only thing in our mind," Bashar said. "We know that Taskin is a fantastic bowler when he is fit.

"Hasan Mahmud has done well recently, while Khaled (Ahmed) and Ebadot (Hossain), have improved in the last few years. We have to go ahead with this group."

It will be Bangladesh's first Test tour to Australia in 23 years - the last time came in 2003 when Bashar was captain - with the two-match series set to get underway on 13 August.

Bangladesh is scheduled to leave for Darwin on Friday and will play a warm-up game before the first Test.

Bangladesh Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan (wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Musfik Hasan