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Shakib Al Hasan tests negative, in contention to play first Test versus Sri Lanka

Shakib Al Hasan goes big down the ground AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has tested negative for Covid, bringing him back into consideration for the first Test against Sri Lanka that begins on May 15. He had earlier tested positive on Tuesday in a PCR and a rapid antigen test, pre-requisites for joining the team.

A team official said that Shakib will fly into Chattogram on Friday where he will undergo "further medical and fitness tests" before a decision will be made of his place.

Shakib was supposed to join the Bangladesh Test squad on May 11, three days after they started training in Chattogram on Monday. Upon testing positive for Covid, he was recovering in self-isolation.

Bangladesh didn't name a replacement at the time but his return will be a welcome inclusion to a side mired in injuries. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed are out due to finger and shoulder injuries while Shoriful Islam was an injury concern when he was selected in the squad.

Bangladesh's batting too needs Shakib's experience in the middle order after they slumped to 53 and 80 in two fourth innings in South Africa. His absence usually means they have to pick two players to make up for his skills, but it is an even more significant blow since Bangladesh will be expected to put up better performances against Sri Lanka in a home World Test Championship series.

It is the fifth Test that Shakib will miss since playing one against Pakistan back in December last year. He skipped the New Zealand series due to personal reasons and then had to miss the South Africa Tests due to illness in his family. Shakib has now played three Tests out of Bangladesh's 11 since his return from the one year ban.