Najmul Hossain Shanto has moved closer to playing Bangladesh’s one-off Test against Afghanistan after the Test captain returned to batting practice on Sunday following his recovery from a fever.
Shanto batted at the National Academy Ground, facing Taskin Ahmed and net bowlers without showing any apparent discomfort. A Bangladesh Cricket Board official monitoring his recovery told TIMES Shanto looked ready to return to competitive cricket.
“Yes, he batted today without any complaint. He is all good and set to play the Test,” the official told TIMES.
However, Bangladesh’s medical team has yet to give Shanto formal clearance for the five-day match in Abu Dhabi, which starts on October 9.
Chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon said the selectors will not make the final decision. The medical team will assess whether Shanto has recovered enough to handle the demands of Test cricket.
“Clinically, he has recovered. Now the doctors will gradually assess the extent of his weakness,” Bashar told reporters Sunday.
“The decision will not be ours. It is a medical decision. Hopefully, it will be made within a day or two,” he added.
Shanto left the Asian Games in Japan and returned home after several days of fever. Bangladesh’s medical staff ruled out influenza and Covid-19, while team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan previously said tests showed evidence of an infection.
“Shanto had been suffering from fever since we landed. It has been four days already, but the fever has persisted. It is a low-grade fever, and tests conducted here have confirmed evidence of infection, although he has tested negative for influenza and COVID-19,” Bayjedul said.
The Bangladesh Test squad have already travelled to the UAE for the tour. Shanto could join them on Monday if he receives medical clearance.
The Afghanistan Test in Abu Dhabi will lead into a tri-nation ODI series involving Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh’s Test specialists are then expected to return home and feature in the third round of the National Cricket League before the two-match Test series against the West Indies.
