Premier all-rounder Shakib al Hasan began his journey towards returning to the international arena by resuming individual training after a long hiatus at his alma mater, Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan, Saturday.
The 33-year old was banned by the International Cricket Council last October for two years, with one year of that suspended, for failing to report multiple corrupt approaches.
The former Bangladesh captain returned to the country early Wednesday morning after a five-month stay in the United States, and underwent Covid-19 screening, which came out negative Friday.
The practice facilities, including athletics track and swimming pool, at BKSP will be at Shakib’s disposal as he cannot yet train at venues under the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s jurisdiction before his ban expires on October 28.
Shakib will do fitness and skill training at BKSP for more than a month under the guidance of local coaches Nazmul Abedeen Fahim and Mohammad Salahuddin, long time mentors of Shakib.
The Tigers are scheduled to leave here for Sri Lanka later this month for a three-match Test series, part of the World Test Championship.
With the first Test slated to end around the time of the expiration of Shakib’s suspension, the left-arm all-rounder will be available for the second Test, informed BCB president Nazmul Hasan recently.
Plans are being made to whisk Shakib off to the island nation a couple of weeks before his ban expires in order to facilitate his return to competitive action.
