Bangladesh got a shot in the arm before their two-Test series against Australia as No. 3 spinner Shoriful Islam has passed his fitness test after a hamstring injury.
It was confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday, 11 August. Shoriful is expected to be fit for the second Test, but may miss the first Test due to his recovery.
Shoriful suffered the hamstring injury during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe in July. BCC now has the left-arm pacer fit for action, confirming the news, Cricket Operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees.
Shoriful passed the fitness test, as he was recovering from his injury, and will now be fit to play, Nafees said.
Shoriful is a possibility of returning to his second test.
Shoriful is not going to feature in the first Test but his fitness clearance will provide Bangladesh with another pace option for the remaining two Test matches.
The first Test will start on August 13 at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. Bangladesh will be looking to get off to a flying start before possibly bringing Shoriful on board for the second Test.
He, if he is fit, may boost the bowling department against Australia on the challenging red-ball assignment.
Litton Das is also making progress.
Bangladesh are also keeping a close eye on wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who is making steady progress towards the first Test.
During Tuesday’s training, Litton participated in the practice session of wicketkeeping and slip catching, and fielding coach Ashiqur Rahman was happy with the 31-year-old’s movement.
But Litton wasn’t in the batting. While the team were preparing in Darwin, he participated in football and fielding practice.
His availability is still a big concern for Bangladesh, both as a batsman and as a wicket keeper.
Bangladesh Focus on Fielding Ahead of Test.Bangladesh Focus on Fielding Ahead of Test.
Fielding coach Ashiqur also cautioned on being focused in the longer format.
He noted that no Test batsman has ever been able to play in the field for very long before he found a chance to go on the attack, so for players, it is important to keep themselves “switched on” when their moment to strike finally arrives.
The coaching staff has been making efforts to turn those awkward wickets and catches for Bangladesh and they want to make sure the players are in the right frame of mind for the entire Test series.
The team will now focus on the first Test against Australia while Shoriful’s fitness clearance gives a shot in the arm for the second Test.
