Shakib will play first Test against Sri Lanka

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be playing the first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning from Sunday in Chattogram, confirmed Bangladesh Test skipper MominulHaque during the pre-match press conference on Saturday. 

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.

All-rounder Shakib al Hasan’s negative result from Covid-19 test Friday morning came as a good news for Bangladesh team management ahead of the crucial first Test against visiting Sri Lanka as it was learnt earlier Tuesday that Shakib was ruled out from the opening match of the series after being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

But since the first Test is only a day away and Shakib is not in practice in the last couple of weeks, there are still major doubt over his participation in Sunday's first Test.

Bangladesh team had an intense training session Friday afternoon at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong prior to the first Test and Shakib joined the squad in the evening.

Meanwhile Tigers head coach Russell Domingo is optimistic regarding Shakib’s availability but also preparing backup plans as there are a lot of factors to be considered.

It was learnt that Shakib is eager to play but it seems that the team management will take the final decision after Saturday's practice session depending on his match fitness and health condition.

Meanwhile, Tigers team management is pondering different options and combinations if Shakib is unable to play and middle-order batsman Mosaddek Hossain, who was added to the squad recently, is a good contender in that spot.