Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is all set to resume formal training from Saturday (September 5) at the BKSP institute after returning from the USA on September 2 under the watchful eyes of two of his childhood coaches Nazmul Abedin and Mohammad Salauddin.
With the quarantine mandatory for the travelers due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Shakib will be staying at the BKSP to complete the 14-day isolation period to ensure he doesn't run short of time to prepare for his comeback.
Shakib, former Bangladesh captain, is eyeing a comeback to international cricket with the upcoming Sri Lanka tour as his one year ban imposed by the ICC comes to an end on October 29, 2020. He was initially banned for two years for failing to report a corrupt approach, but one year of his ban was suspended and now the southpaw can possibly make comeback during the Sri Lanka series.
The three-match Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was originally scheduled to take place in July but was postponed to October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Well, the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan has already hinted that the veteran all-rounder is likely to make comeback in the second Test and is likely to fly Sri Lanka before the start of the series in order to adapt to the conditions.
Nazmul stated: “He will arrive in BKSP on Saturday [September 5] and we will start his training program afterward. If he stays home to complete the 14-day quarantine, then his preparation time will be shortened and in that case, his return in the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will be in doubt. Shakib will be staying isolated in BKSP so he can complete the 14-day isolation period here.”
The BCB boss further added, “He will stay in a separate room while his dining will be separate and only me and Salahuddin [coach] will come close to him and we will maintain required distance so I don't think isolation will be a problem.”
However, BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin has denied any such intimations by Nazmul regarding Shakib’s inclusion for the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
Abedin said, “I can’t say anything regarding his comeback as the team management will decide what they want to do about him. He is banned till October and after that, we will take our next course of action. I cannot say anything without discussing with the team management and the head coach.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
