"Zakir has been on our radar for the last five years," Bangladesh's chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. "He was in the High Performance unit for four of those years, and this season he was the highest scorer in first-class cricket. He played a good knock against India A last week. It saved the game. Selector Abdur Razzak, with the Bangladesh A side, witnessed the game and it seems Zakir is prepared for the highest level."

Tamim Iqbal, who missed the ODI series with a groin injury, Mosaddek Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman were the high-profile names missing from the Test squad, which will be led by Shakib Al Hasan. It is understood that Tamim's recovery could take until December 22, which could put him in doubt for the second Test starting on December 22 in Mirpur.

Mushfiqur's return, however, is a huge boost for Bangladesh, while Yasir comes back to the Test format after a long layoff following the injury he suffered during the tour of South Africa in March and April. The hosts have picked five fast bowlers in their squad, along with the regulation three spinners in Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.

The real battle, however, will be for top-order spots. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque are out of form, while Najmul Hossain Shanto's spot is also shaky after scoring just one half-century this year. The middle order looks stable with Mushfiqur, Shakib and Litton taking their usual places.

Test squad: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Litton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Anamul Haque