Shakib Al Hasan could make his return to Bangladesh in its Twenty20 international (T20I) series against Zimbabwe next month.
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SHAKIB EYES T20I RETURN AGAINST ZIMBABWE, SAYS OFFICIAL
Shakib is looking to make a T20I return for Bangladesh in its matchup against Zimbabwe, according to an official.
The 37-year-old all-rounder may also play for some Dhaka Premier League (DPL) matches as part of his white-ball cricket return.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain confirmed contacting Shakib, who is expected to arrive in Dhaka at the end of the month.
“He (Shakib) will possibly play one or two DPL matches. Afterwards, he will get involved with the team management,” Gazi said.
“We will definitely want him to play (a) couple of matches in the series,” he added.
Ashraf hopes to announce Bangladesh’s lineup by April 28.
SHAKIB SEEKS T20I RETURN AFTER EYE CONDITION, FINGER INJURY
Shakib is looking at a T20I return for Bangladesh after he had an eye condition and a finger injury at the end of the November 2023 ODI World Cup.
He returned to international cricket at the Chattogram Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month.
Shakib was not included in Bangladesh’s 17-man preparatory squad that will train in Chattogram for three days starting Saturday.
Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe for its first three T20Is in Chattogram on May 3,5, and 7.
Dhaka will host the last two T20I matches on May 10 and 12.
MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN MISSES 17-MAN SQUAD; MOHAMMAD MAKES LIST
Shakib’s Chennai Super Kings teammate Mustafizur Rahman was also not included in the 17-man Bangladesh squad.
Ashraf shared that Mustafizur would also skip the first T20I match for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe I Chattogram on May 3.
Meanwhile, the chief selector confirmed that Mohammad Saifuddin was included in the training squad after coming off an injury.
Mohammad last played for Bangladesh before the 2022 T20 World Cup but he played for Fortunre Barishal’s title-winning squad in the recent BPL season.
“He (Mohammad) is ahead with his batting but in bowling he has competitors,” Ashraf said.
“So it is a good opportunity for him to get back into his groove in the Zimbabwe series because we have a lot of interest in him,” he added.
