Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced a 14-man squad for the first Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on 9 October in Chittagong as Australia’s delayed departure continues.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim will again lead the side, while 20-year-old Mustafizur Rahman, who impressed in Tests and ODIs against South Africa recently, could well be unleashed against the touring Australians.

Australia announced their 15-man squad for the tour a fortnight ago, however their departure to Dhaka – scheduled on Monday – has been delayed amid security concerns, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and security organisation ASIO reporting there was ‘reliable information’ militants may be planning to target Australian interests.

It is expected Cricket Australia will not make a decision on whether the Test team travels to Bangladesh for at least 48 hours.

‘There has been no change to the situation or our current position. Our Head of Security has had a number of meetings with Bangladeshi government and cricket officials in Dhaka today,’ a CA spokesperson said.  

The Australian side is scheduled to fly out on Tuesday, but it appears their flight will be pushed back yet again. The Bangladesh government promised to provide the Australians with the highest level of security, saying it was shocked they were considering cancelling the tour.

After meeting Cricket Australia officials in Dhaka, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the Aussies would get security usually reserved for visiting heads of state if they went ahead with the tour.

‘The highest security protocol will be provided for the Australian cricket team,’ the home minister told reporters.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said the Australian foreign ministry's advice to delay the team's departure on Sunday ‘has shocked me’. ‘This is very disappointing for us. There is no risk for them in Bangladesh,’ Hassan told reporters.

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal (vice-captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Soumya Sarker, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Zubaer Hossain, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Shahid.