Shanto leaves Dhaka to play Test against Afghanistan

Najmul Hossain Shanto had to return home without playing a match after traveling to Japan for the Asian Games due to a fever.

He was also unable to travel to the United Arab Emirates on schedule. But finally Shanto departed the country on Monday evening.

Najmul suffered considerably after contracting a fever in Japan; it was suspected that he might have had dengue. Shanto recovered quickly upon returning home. Multiple tests were conducted and all returned negative results.

The only area of concern was fitness. In the meantime, he also engaged in batting practice at the Mirpur Academy ground on Sunday and Monday. Subsequently Shanto passed the fitness test.

The BCB Coach Najmul Hossain said, “Regarding Shanto, I would say that given the way he has been playing Test and ODI cricket over the past year and a half to two years, he is vital to our team and has proven his worth. Shanto is very important to us.

It would be excellent for us if he regains his fitness and plays the Test against Afghanistan.”

Najmul will have two days for preparation upon arriving in Abu Dhabi. Bangladesh are set to face Afghanistan in the one-off Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 9.

In his absence, the team is playing a two-day warm-up match against the UAE under the leadership of Test Vice-Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.