Shakib has got a fracture and it will take six weeks to recover, he is missing the Test – BCB

Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Friday that they are hoping Shakib Al Hasan to be available for the white-ball series against Afghanistan while Cricbuzz had earlier reported that Shakib is not expected to participate in the lone Test match against Afghanistan, which is set to begin on June 14.

Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Friday that they are hoping Shakib Al Hasan to be available for the white-ball series against Afghanistan. Cricbuzz had earlier reported that Shakib is not expected to participate in the lone Test match against Afghanistan, which is set to begin on June 14 due to his finger injury that he suffered during the second ODI against Ireland.

“Shakib hurt the tip of his right index finger while attempting a catch in the second ODI. An X-ray today confirmed a fracture on the base of the index finger. Such injuries usually take around six weeks to heal,” National team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan had said in a statement on May 13.

BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin on Friday confirmed that he is not available for the Test while added that as the series will be played in two parts they are expecting him in to be available for ODIs and T20Is.

Following the red-ball assignment, Afghanistan will leave for India on June 19 for a white-ball series and will return to the country again on July 1 to complete the remaining matches of the series, which includes three ODIs and two T20Is running until July 17. Although Minhajul denied it, there was a rumor going around that the all-rounder wanted a break from the entire series.

“There is no discussion regarding any such thing (like he wanted rest). Because he has got a fracture and it will take six weeks to recover, he is missing the Test (against Afghanistan),”

said Minhajul.

“As there is a big gap before the ODI series that is scheduled after Eid, we are expecting him to be back for it,”

he said.

Asia Cup will be Bangladesh’s next ODI assignment after the series against Afghanistan. Before travelling to India for the World Cup in October-November, they also have a three-match ODI series against New Zealand scheduled to be played at home in September.

“The World Cup is still four months away. We have series against Afghanistan and we are thinking of these back-to-back series,”

Minhajul said.

“I think we are the only Test-playing side who are discussing the World Cup now. We have to make a team for the World Cup keeping the fitness and performance of the players in mind,”

he added.