Bangladesh Cricket Receives Huge Boost For WTC As Legendary All-Rounder Returns To Red-Ball Action

Bangladesh's Tour of Pakistan: Bangladesh Cricket Board have announced the return of their legendary all-rounder in the red-ball format, as he commits his future for the remainder of WTC 2023-25.

Bangladesh's Tour of Pakistan: Bangladesh are set to play Pakistan in the two-match Test series and the two countries will be hoping to better their position in the ongoing World Test Championship, as they are languishing in the bottom half of WTC 2023-25 cycle. However, Bangladesh Cricket Board have received a major boost for their remainder of the cycle, as Shakib AL Hasan has confirmed his availability for the red-ball format even after the conclusion of the Test series against Pakistan.

"Probably at the end of July, we talked to Shakib and there were discussions with me regarding his fitness. He assured us that he would play all the Tests and attend all practice sessions before each series. Globally, Shakib is one of the best all-rounders for the past years and I maintain that opinion. I cannot dare to consider him only as a bowler," said Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Bangladesh Cricket's Chief Selector, as reported by ICC.

"It was important to know whether he will be available in all the practice sessions before series and that was a criterion for selection from our point of view. We were supposed to go [to Pakistan] a bit later. He will probably reach the side on 14th or 15th and practice with the team," he added.

Shakib Al Hasan had earlier stated that he will not be playing red-ball cricket after the conclusion of the Test series against Pakistan, but is now available.

"There is international cricket and there is a series against Pakistan and I am planning till that point of time and not planning beyond that," said the Bangladesh all-rounder before the announcement of his availability.

 

Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed.

Bangladesh's Complete Schedule For Test Series Against Pakistan (All Details Are As Per Indian Standard Time)

Fixture	Venue	Day and Date	Time
Bangladesh Vs Pakistan, 1st Test Match	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi	Wednesday, August 21 - Sunday, August 25	10:30 AM
Bangladesh Vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Match	National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi	Friday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 3	10:30 AM