DHAKA: Team Bangladesh left here on Tuesday for Rawalpindi to face Pakistan in their first Test scheduled to begin on February 7.

Two flights of Qatar Airways carrying team members took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this evening for their second phase of Pakistan tour.

The absence of Mushfiqur and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is a major blow for Bangladesh. However, senior opener Tamim Iqbal makes a return to the Test squad after almost a year, whereas left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been dropped.

Bangladesh were also forced to leave out all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain (shoulder), spinner Mehidy Hasan (finger), openers Shadman Islam (wrist) and Imrul Kayes (hamstring) due to injuries.

The second Test of the series will be played in Karachi from April 5 to 9.

Bangladesh squad:

Mominul Haque (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Md Mithun, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Soumya Sarkar.

BDST: 2046 HRS, FEB 04, 2020

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