Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is due to travel to the United Arab Emirates on Monday evening, boosting hopes that he will be available for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.
Shanto missed the cricket competition at the Asian Games after being struck down by fever. He has since recovered significantly, however, and the Bangladesh team is optimistic that the batter will be fit to return to the Test side when the match begins on 9 October.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Shanto will leave for the UAE today. His arrival comes as Bangladesh continue their preparations for the Afghanistan Test, with the squad currently involved in a two-day practice match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
In Shanto’s absence, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been captaining Bangladesh in the practice match. The fixture is intended to give the players valuable preparation in local conditions before the more important Test assignment against Afghanistan.
Chief selector Habibul Bashar Suman remains confident that Shanto can recover fully in time. Speaking recently about the captain’s condition, Suman said he was hopeful that Shanto would be able to play against Afghanistan.
He also outlined the difficulties the batter faced after falling ill. Shanto had reportedly been confined to his hotel in Japan because of the fever, leaving him unable to move around normally. His illness also affected his eating, as he had difficulty obtaining food outside the hotel.
According to Suman, Shanto is now feeling much better and is in generally good condition. His return to the UAE will allow the team management to monitor his fitness more closely before deciding on his involvement in the Test.
Shanto’s availability would be significant for Bangladesh, given his dual role as captain and an important member of the batting line-up. After recovering from illness, however, his physical condition will remain a key consideration as the team finalises its combination for the match.
The Test against Afghanistan will be played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 13 October. It will be Bangladesh’s first major assignment of the UAE leg of the tour, with the squad expected to use the preceding preparation period to adjust to the conditions.
Bangladesh will then remain in the UAE for a three-team ODI series. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will join Bangladesh in the competition, giving the teams further opportunities to assess their squads and build momentum in the limited-overs format.
For Bangladesh, the immediate focus remains the Afghanistan Test. With Shanto now travelling to the UAE and his health improving, the team will hope its captain can complete his recovery and take charge when the Test gets under way in Abu Dhabi.