Ajmal Shahzad has been given the chance to make his Test debut after being called into a new-look England squad for the first Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s.
The Yorkshire all-rounder has already had a memorable winter after being given debuts for England at Twenty20 and one-day international level and has now been called into the 12-man squad for the opening Test starting on May 27.
Shahzad has been selected alongside Middlesex pair Steve Finn and Eoin Morgan after both Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad were ruled out of the series as a precaution against England’s heavy schedule over the next year.
Collingwood will miss the two-Test series to have treatment on a shoulder injury while Broad is to undergo strengthening and conditioning work to prepare him for the challenges ahead, which include a one-day series against Australia, a Test series against Pakistan, an Ashes tour and the World Cup.
"There's a need for Stuart to undertake an intensive strengthening programme ahead of an arduous summer and a busy winter and the next three weeks have been identified as the ideal period for this programme," explained National Selector Geoff Miller.
"Eoin Morgan has impressed everyone since his inclusion in England's one-day squad and he now has the opportunity to play a role in the Test team. He has always held ambitions of playing across all forms of the game and we believe he has earned his place in this Test squad."
Shahzad is facing a battle with Finn, who made his Test debut on the tour to Bangladesh this winter, to earn his first Test cap but his inclusion indicates how impressed coach Andy Flower has been with his efforts in Bangladesh and as a non-playing member of the victorious ICC World Twenty20 squad.
"We were encouraged by Steven Finn's Test debut in Bangladesh during the winter and he has had a fine start to the domestic season for Middlesex," said Miller. "He is aware of what is involved at the international level and, along with Ajmal Shahzad, who has also made a bright start to the county season after touring Bangladesh over the winter, offers us a great deal of depth in the bowling ranks."