Shakib is available for selection, says BCB boss

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Agency :

Following their home Test series against South Africa, Bangladesh is set to face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in the UAE, starting on November 6.

Speculation has surrounded Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the series.

Ahead of a Wednesday board meeting, BCB President Faruque Ahmed addressed the media, saying, “Shakib is available for selection in the ODI series against Afghanistan. The squad hasn’t been announced yet, which means he’s available.”

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Previously, Shakib expressed interest in stepping away from Test cricket after the Mirpur Test against South Africa. Despite initially planning the team around him, security concerns postponed his return, and the board subsequently revised the squad without him.

During the India tour, Shakib had announced plans to retire from Test and T20I cricket, indicating he wouldn’t extend his ODI career either.

His intention is to conclude his ODI career after the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. However, recent developments have cast uncertainty over Shakib’s return to international cricket with Bangladesh, and his future is expected to be a key topic in Wednesday’s BCB board meeting.

Bangladesh will meet Afghanistan in Sharjah on November 6 for the opener, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for November 9 and 11 at the same venue.

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