Shakib Al Hasan confirms availability for upcoming Test series against Pakistan 

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will partake in the upcoming two-match home Test series against Pakistan. The senior player's international career has come under the scanner in the recent past with injury woes and poor performances.

Shakib is currently leading the Bangla Tigers in the Global T20 Canada League. They are placed second in the points table, and the competition is scheduled to go on until August 11. Meanwhile, the first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan is scheduled for August 21 in Rawalpindi.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chairman of cricket operations Jalal Yunus confirmed that Shakib has expressed an interest in playing the Test series and will practice for a couple of days before joining the squad.

"We spoke with Shakib, and he is available for the Pakistan series. If he doesn't have time, he will leave directly from Dubai, or he might come to Dhaka to practice for a day or two before joining the team. He will be available for the Pakistan series," he told reporters.

Shakib has been active in the shortest format of late, playing the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2024 Major League Cricket, and the Global T20 Canada in succession.

Shakib Al Hasan has only played two Tests since the start of 2023

Since the start of 2023, Bangladesh have played six Tests, with Shakib Al Hasan featuring in two. He played the one-off Test against Ireland in 2023 and the second Test against Sri Lanka in March 2024.

Shakib's recent performances in the T20 World Cup were criticized as Bangladesh made it to the Super 8 stages. There were rumors surrounding his potential retirement from at least one format. But for the time being, the ace all-rounder is still going strong for the Bangla Tigers.

Bangladesh are eighth in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. They also have a challenging tour of India lined up after the Test series against Pakistan.

​