Senior Bangladesh all-rounder and former captain Shakib Al Hasan is reportedly in line to return for the Test side when the Bangla Tigers host Sri Lanka for the 2nd Test from March 30 onwards.
Shakib hasn’t played any red-ball cricket since April 2023 when his side hosted Ireland for a one-off Test match where the Asians claimed victory by 7 wickets. The information was confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board earlier this morning.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are currently playing on Day 2 of the 1st Test here at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The 2-match Test series is a part of their fixtures in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle following the two team’s thrilling white-ball series which saw them play a 3-match ODI and T20I series.
The Lankans claimed victory by 2-1 in the T2o series while the Bangla Tigers, who were without Shakib Al Hasan, retaliated by winning the ODI series with the same scoreline.
BCB reveal that Shakib Al Hasan wants to feature in 2nd Test against Sri Lanka
An early morning report from Cricbuzz revealed that Shakib Al Hasan has communicated to the Bangladesh Cricket Board about his willingness to feature in the 2nd Test against Lanka. After a few weeks off following his BPL team Rangpur Riders‘ exit from the Qualifier 2 match, Shakib returned to cricketing action on March 20.
He took part in the country’s official List A tournament – Dhaka Premier League where he is representing the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. On his return, Shakib Al Hasan scored 19 runs with the bat and registered 3 wickets in 7 overs at a 5.57 economy rate against City Club.
The 36-year-old has been playing List A cricket to get into a good rhythm heading into the 2nd Test match against Sri Lanka. He told the BCB that he wants to play the game and that he will be making use of the time he has to prepare for his Test cricket return.
“We are expecting him to be available during the second Test against Sri Lanka as he wants to play the game. I think there is still time for him to prepare fully for the game.” – a BCB official said Cricbuzz.
It could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Bangladesh in the Test series as they were without their experienced wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahman. He had sustained a thumb injury while training for the red-ball phase. But with Shakib Al Hasan set to return for the 2nd Test, Bangladesh’s chances of winning will increase but then it also depends upon how they perform in the ongoing 1st Test.
The 1st Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka hanging in the balance
Meanwhile, the 1st Test between the two fiery rivals is currently hanging in the balance as the hosts, after a shaky start, are starting to stage a comeback. Sri Lanka had posted 280 in the 1st innings which was made largely possible due to 102-run knocks from Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis after a disappointing effort from the top-order.
Bangladesh, in response, had a similar start, losing 5 wickets for 83 before Taijul Islam and Liton Das steadied their ship. Das has also departed from the crease after a 43-ball 25 with the hosts still requiring more than 100 runs to put off the trail.
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