Shakib to play first Test, says captain Mominul

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who recovered from Covid-19, will play the first Test against Sri Lanka beginning from Sunday.

Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque confirmed the matter at a pre-match press conference at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday. 

Mominul said, he looked good while practicing today I feel. Yes, he will play tomorrow. 

Shakib’s involvement was in jeopardy after he had tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday. However, he tested negative for the virus on Friday. 

The all-rounder last played a Test in December 2021, against Pakistan. He skipped the New Zealand series for personal reasons and then had to miss the South Africa Tests due to illness in his family. Shakib has played only three out of Bangladesh’s last 11 Tests since his return from a one-year ban for failing to report a corrupt approach.