Zafar Ansari set to play for England in final Test against Bangladesh

Dhaka: Spinner Zafar Ansari will make his England debut in the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday. The 24-year-old Surrey slow left-armer, comes in for off-spinner Gareth Batty, who starred with four wickets in England’s thrilling 22-run win in the opening Test.

Seamer Stuart Broad has been rested, despite being in line for his 100th Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Steven Finn will replace him. “Zafar’s going to make his debut coming in for Gareth and Finny’s coming in for Broady,” captain Alastair Cook said at his pre-match press conference.

Ansari was unlucky to miss out on his England debut in 2015 after dislocating his left thumb, only to injure his thumb again in May this year. The serious nature of the fracture meant he was ruled out for the entirety of the winter and although it also troubled him at the start of the season, he took 22 wickets in County Championship Division One games.