Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan put an end to speculations about his availability in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe at home, reassuring that he will indeed play the series. 

“Shakib will return to Bangladesh by the end of this month. There is a possibility of him playing one or two matches in the DPL. Then he will join the team,” Lipu told the reporters in Mirpur today

“This many people usually don’t turn up to see a fitness test at six in the morning. I’m sure they are here because it’s happening at the Bangabandhu [National] Stadium,” said Shahriar Nafees, the current cricket operations manager, after the national team’s fitness test at the famed venue yesterday.

The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) action moves into the Super League phase following Eid holidays, starting on Monday.

While Tamim Iqbal started for Prime Bank Cricket Club, Shakib Al Hasan was not included in the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club eleven during the two sides’ Dhaka Premier League (DPL) encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he didn't feel all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is 37 years of age following the latter's decent performance on return to Test cricket.

Bangladesh and Chennai Super Kings pacer Mustafizur Rahman bagged one wicket in the IPL game against Delhi Capitals on Sunday, and in the process achieved a rare milestone.

Bangladesh were 55 for one at the end of second day's play in the Chattogram Test on Sunday. Zakir Hasan was unbeaten on 28 alongside night-watchman Taijul Islam (0), with Mahmudul Hasan Joy (21) the only batsman dismissed. 

Bangladesh team’s assistant coach Nic Pothas yesterday said the Test team’s batting unit is going through a rebuilding stage and everyone needs to remain patient, a statement that contradicts what other important figures of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had said in the days prior.

The Tigers' interim head coach was also happy with the preparation that Shakib has come with despite being out of the national team for a while.

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who had initially opted to sit out the Sri Lanka series owing to fitness issues, joined the Bangladesh Test squad on Thursday ahead of their second and final match against the Lankans in Chattogram on Saturday. Having already suffered a 328-run thumping in the first Test in Sylhet, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto would be delighted to have the all-rounder available for the crucial contest. Shakib returned to the longer format after nearly a year-long absence. He last played a Test against Ireland in Mirpur in April last year and has not even played any longer-version domestic cricket since then. Photos: Rajib Raihan

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, suffered a 328-run hammering at the hands of the Lankans following an abysmal batting performance in the series opener in Sylhet. 

Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said that he believes the Tigers have the capability to do well and even win their upcoming Test against Sri Lanka.

Former national captain Mohammad Ashraful emphasized more importance on Shakib's experience rather than the numbers.

Shakib Al Hasan will play the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram, starting on March 30, with some form with the bat after scoring a fluent half-century in the Dhaka Premier League match on Wednesday.

Shakib last played a Test in April 2023 when Bangladesh met Ireland in Mirpur

Shakib, who is expected to be available for selection for the Chattogram Test against Sri Lanka starting on March 30, picked up one wicket for 47 runs and chipped in with 34

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is expected to play the second Test of the ongoing two-Test series against Sri Lanka, slated to begin from March 30 in Chattogram.

Shoriful Islam has displaced Shakib Al Hasan as the top-ranked bowler for Bangladesh in ODIs following his good performance in the Sri Lanka series.

Members of the Bangladesh national team will not be available immediately for the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL), starting from today across three venues, but the hype around the lone fifty-over club-based domestic competition of the country will not be dulled as star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal are set to feature from the beginning of the tournament.