DHAKA, Oct 4, 2026 : The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is waiting to
assess the physical condition of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto before making
a final decision on his availability for the one-off Test against
Afghanistan.
Shanto returned home from Japan after suffering from a viral fever during the
Asian Games. Although he has clinically recovered, the team’s medical staff
are monitoring whether he has regained sufficient fitness to play a five-day
match.
Chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon said the decision would be taken by the
medical team based on Shanto’s recovery.
“Clinically, he has recovered. Now the doctors will gradually assess the
extent of his weakness,” Bashar told the reporters today.
The selectors would not make the final call on Shanto’s availability, he
said, adding, “The decision will not be ours. It is a medical decision.
Hopefully, it will be made within a day or two.”
Shanto was expected to feature in Bangladesh’s T20 squad at the Asian Games
but was sent home after suffering from fever for several days in Nagoya.
His influenza and COVID-19 tests were negative, but he was withdrawn as a
precaution because of the viral infection.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Test squad is already in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) for the upcoming tour, which begins with a one-off Test against
Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on October 9, followed by a Tri-nation ODI series.
Shanto, however, has already resumed training, and the medical team is
expected to make a decision soon after assessing whether he is fit enough to
endure the demands of a Test match.
