Shakib Al Hasan’s Return Sparks Hope for Bangladesh Cricket Team Amidst Testing Times

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan gears up to rejoin the Bangladesh Test squad in Chattogram, injecting a much-needed boost into the beleaguered Tigers ahead of their second encounter against Sri Lanka on March 30. Having showcased promising form with the ball in his recent outings for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier…


Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan gears up to rejoin the Bangladesh Test squad in Chattogram, injecting a much-needed boost into the beleaguered Tigers ahead of their second encounter against Sri Lanka on March 30.

Having showcased promising form with the ball in his recent outings for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Shakib’s return to the crease raised eyebrows, despite his batting leaving something to be desired with scores of 19 and 34 runs in earlier matches.

However, just when anticipation peaked for the series finale, Shakib unleashed his true prowess, hammering 53 runs off 65 balls and clinching two crucial wickets for a mere 14 runs in nine overs against Gazi Group Cricketers. This timely display serves as a beacon of hope for the hosts, who seek a redemption after a lackluster showing in the Sylhet Test.

In the previous test, Bangladesh faced a resounding 328-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, with the top order bearing the brunt of criticism for their subpar performance on a challenging wicket at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Shakib’s absence from red-ball cricket since his last Test against Ireland in April last year, compounded by his eye ailment during the Bangladesh Premier League, initially led to his exclusion from the Sri Lanka series. However, his determination to return to the longer format prompted selectors to swiftly include him in the squad for the second Test.

Former national captain Mohammad Ashraful underscores the invaluable contribution Shakib brings to the team, emphasizing his wealth of experience as a pivotal asset, especially in the absence of fellow veteran Mushfiqur Rahim.

Shakib’s inclusion will undoubtedly bolster the squad. His recent performances in BPL and DPL, coupled with his vast experience, will immensely benefit the team,

remarked Ashraful.

While Shakib’s statistics paint a formidable picture, Ashraful stresses the intangible value of his experience, particularly in aiding Bangladesh’s struggling batting lineup. With Shakib’s presence, Bangladesh gains the flexibility to incorporate an extra batter, offering much-needed stability against challenging bowling attacks.

As we saw in the previous match, Bangladesh struggled against the initial movement of the Kookaburra ball. Shakib’s experience will be instrumental in guiding the batting unit through such testing phases,

Ashraful concluded, echoing the sentiments of many hopeful fans.


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