Shakib Al Hasan unavailable for Pakistan Tests? BCB Chairman Jalal Yunus provides massive update

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chairman of Cricket Operations Jalal Yunus opened up about Shakib Al Hasan's participation in the upcoming two-match home Test series against Pakistan. Jalal Yunus confirmed that he spoke with Shakib Al Hasan regarding his availability for the upcoming away Test series.

Shakib Al Hasan is currently captaining the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada League. The Bangla Tigers are in second place in the six-team points table. The Shakib Al Hasan lead team has won three of their first four group stage matches. The Canada T20 tournament will conclude on August 11.

Shakib came under scrutiny for his performances in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Bangladesh cricket team reached the Super 8 stage but failed to advance to the semi-finals of the marquee tournament. There was speculation about his possible retirement from one format, but he did not confirm stepping down.

Shakib Al Hasan Is Available For The Pakistan Series - Jalal Yunus

Jalal Yunus confirmed that Shakib Al Hasan is keen to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. Yunus stated that Shakib will reach Dhaka for a couple of practice days before the series begins. He further added that the veteran all-rounder will join the team directly from Dubai if he doesn't have time.

"We spoke with Shakib, and he is available for the Pakistan series. If he doesn't have time, he will leave directly from Dubai, or he might come to Dhaka to practice for a day or two before joining the team. He will be available for the Pakistan series," he told reporters.

Shakib Al Hasan has been busy in T20 cricket. He last represented Bangladesh during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). He then played for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024. He is currently playing in the Global T20 Canada.

Shakib Al Hasan Played Only Four Tests Since 2023

Shakib has appeared in only four Test matches over the past two years. The Bangladesh team has played eight Tests during this period. The left-arm spinner missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan last year and the home series against New Zealand due to a finger injury from the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

The 37-year-old all-rounder also missed the first Test against Sri Lanka but returned for the second Test in Chattogram. The upcoming Test series against Pakistan will begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh will play the second match at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

The upcoming series is part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Bangladesh is currently in eighth place in the WTC points table with a Points Percentage of 25.00, having won only one out of four games. Following the Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh faces a challenging Test tour of India.

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