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Shakib returns for 2nd Test against Sri Lanka
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has made a comeback to the longer version format after a gap of one year as Bangladesh announced the squad for the second and final Test against Sri Lanka, which gets underway in Chattogram on March 30. Shakib has been out of the national team since the match against Sri Lanka in World Cup in India last year where he smashed 82 and took two wickets for a match winning performance but he fractured his left index finger, which ruled him out of the side's last match against Australia in the showcase event. Shakib's eye problem also emerged in the World Cup event and he was forced to miss Bangladesh series against New Zealand at home and away. He was then left out of the T20 and ODI squad and also the squad of the first Test of Bangladesh for Sri Lanka series as his eye was not deemed okay. However, according to the team management, he is now okay with his eye and played some Dhaka Premier League matches without any trouble. The star all-rounder last played a Test in April 2023 when Bangladesh met Ireland in Mirpur. Batter Towhid Hridoy, who was drafted in the 15-member squad for the first Test, misses out due to the inclusion of Shakib. Also out is pacer Mushfik Hasan who has picked up an injury on his left ankle which will require rehab. His replacement is fellow right-arm paceman Hasan Mahmud who has played 39 matches for Bangladesh in white ball cricket but is yet to feature in a Test. Mahmud has taken 49 wickets from 16 first-class outings. Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Sylhet by 328 runs. The Test series is part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Bangladesh squad for 2nd Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud.  
26 Mar 2024,22:49

BCB wants Shakib to continue captaincy in all three formats
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants Shakib Al Hasan to continue as national team captain for all three formats of cricket after recovering from the finger injury, he sustained during the World Cup. Shakib's pre-World Cup announcement of relinquishing the captaincy after the cricket's biggest extravaganza and Najmul Hossian Shanto being given the reins in his absence made it seem that the young man can replace the veteran as captain. "Shakib is still our captain. We have made Shanto as captain for the just two series against New Zealand," BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younus told the media here today. "Shakib was given the captaincy for long term. We still consider him as our captain in all formats of our cricket. Whenever Shakib returns we expect him to lead the side in all three formats. There is no scope to think otherwise if he takes over," Younus added. Shakib has been out of the action after injuring his index finger during the World Cup. He had missed the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home and also would miss the subsequent ODI and T20 International series in New Zealand. Shanto led the side in Test series at home and later was appointed captain for the away ODI and T20 series in Shakib's absence. "No question was raised whether he will be the captain or not. Shakib knows he is the captain of the side in all three formats and we also consider him the captain," Younus remarked. Recently in a programme of Awami League in USA, Shakib, who got the ruling party Awami League nomination from Magura-1 constituency, made a comment that he didn't put his name in upcoming IPL and PSL due to the commitment for Bangladesh cricket. He also said that he would skip franchisees leagues all around the world to play for the country as longer as he can. BCB was extremely elated by the remark of Shakib, saying that the team will be highly benefitted if he plays all matches for Bangladesh. "This is an extremely good news for us. We want him to play all matches in all formats of the cricket for our country. When he plays, you know, his presence always motivates the team." Bangladesh however won just two matches in nine games in World Cup which was their worst result in the cricket's showpiece event since 2007 World Cup. The BCB had already formed a special committee to look into the Bangladesh's World Cup failure. The committee has already called up head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and some players but they are yet to summon Shakib for his statement. Source: BSS
12 Dec 2023,18:40
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