Shakib set to play Chattogram Test, confirms captain

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be playing the first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning from tomorrow in Chattogram, confirmed Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque during the pre-match press conference today. 

Shakib's involvement was in jeopardy after the star player had tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday following his return from USA. However, Shakib returned negative for Covid-19, much to the relief of the Tigers' contingent. BCB president Nazmul Hassan had informed that Shakib had tested negative twice after undergoing tests on his own accord before he was tested at BCB authorised facility to return another negative Test. He joined the side yesterday at Bangladesh team's hotel.

Shakib batted at the nets during Bangladesh's optional practice session today with Mohammad Saifuddin, who is not part of the Test squad, bowling at the nets. 

Shakib mostly batted against spinners and throwers at the nets. There were signs of rustiness, having just come to his first practice session as he had not played competitively since the Dhaka Premier League. He played a few big shots against the spinners, perhaps to get his hands going. Rain interrupted Shakib's batting at the nets and he didn't take to the nets after rain.

BCB are yet to give any press release regarding whether Shakib had been included back in to the side after he was ruled out from the first Test following his Covid-19 positive test.