We don’t get Shakib when we need him most: Nazmul

President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nazmul Hasan on Wednesday said that it’s Bangladesh’s misfortune not to get the service of allrounder Shakib Al Hasan when the team needs him most. 

Bangladesh are all set to take on Sri Lanka at home for a two-match Test series starting from May 15 in Chattogram. 

Shakib will miss this series as he tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, and currently, he is isolated at home. 

It’s not clear whether BCB would call a replacement for Shakib. 

Before the left-handed allrounder, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was also ruled out of this series due to a finger injury that he has sustained during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match. To replace Mehidy, BCB called right-arm spinner Nayeeh Hasan to the Test squad. 

“It’s our misfortune,” Nazmul told reporters in Dhaka on Wednesday. “We pray for his quick recovery. Despite being positive for Covid-19, Shakib is doing well. He will test again in a few days.”

Shakib had to leave the team ahead of the Test series in South Africa— Bangladesh’s last series so far— due to a family emergency. He had earlier missed a few Test series due to injury, and personal reasons. 

“We have to play one bowler or one batter less,” Nazmul added. “It’s a problem. But we have no choice now. We need him most we don’t get his service. The only thing we can do now is to pray for his quick recovery and hope that he would join the team quickly.”

Earlier this year, Nazmul had said they have no idea when Shakib wants to play and when he wants to skip. 

The upcoming series is a part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh played six matches in this event so far and won one of them against New Zealand. 

While the first Test will be played in Chattogram, the second and final of this series will take part in Dhaka from May 23.