Shakib Covid negative, but still doubt for first Test

Bangladesh will breathe a sigh of relief as ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan tested Covid-19 negative after a dual series of tests on Thursday and Friday.

But the all-rounder is still a doubt due to fitness issues for the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka starting on Sunday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Bangladesh Cricket Board President, Nazmul Hassan, confirmed that the all-rounder tested negative after going through tests following BCB protocols.

“We told him that we have to carry out the tests again according to BCB protocols since he did the tests in a private institution. The tests were carried out, and after coming here, I came to know he tested negative,” Nazmul said in Chattogram on Friday.

Shakib travelled to Chattogram on Friday evening and is scheduled to participate in a practice session today and will be looking towards the medical team and the fitness trainers to clear him for the first Test.

“His fitness will be under supervision. If he thinks he can play after practising, he will have to inform us, and if the fitness trainers give him the clearance, then we have no issues, and he will definitely play,” Nazmul said.

Having played his last match in Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on April 28, Shakib’s match fitness is in question. And Tigers’ head coach Russell Domingo reiterated the same issues on Shakib as the board president.

“We need to check his fitness and assess where he is. He has just come off Covid, and he hasn’t played much cricket. But we need to see how he is tomorrow. He hasn’t batted or bowled for the last two or three weeks. It is five days of cricket. It is hot. There are all sorts of things to consider,” Domingo said about Shakib’s inclusion in the first Test.

Domingo assured that he would want a full-fit Shakib in the team and that he wants the all-rounder to play but emphasised that he needed to give him the best opportunity to perform.

“I have had Covid badly, so the energy is not quite the same. You can’t go in straight away. It is not a T20 or ODI, which is done in six or seven overs. It is going to happen for over five days,” he said in a press conference on Friday.

“Of course, we want him to play. He is one of the best cricketers that’s ever played. But we need to make sure that he gives himself the best chance to perform, and fulfil his role. Bowl at least 15 overs a day, and bat in the top six. Anybody would want a fully fit Shakib in your best XI. It is very difficult to play if he is 50-60 per cent fit,” he added.

On the possibility of Shakib’s exclusion, Domingo said he would keep late inclusion Mosaddek Hossain in contention for the first Test.

“He is definitely in consideration to play if Shakib is not playing,” he said.

The Tigers’ will be without the services of leading fast-bowler Taskin Ahmed and off-spinning all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Fast-bowler Shoriful is still a doubt, making Shakib’s inclusion more important.

Shakib missed the two away Test series earlier this year against New Zealand and South Africa. He missed the two Tests in New Zealand due to personal reasons and returned from South Africa before the Test series because of the illness of several family members.