Shanto's return brings stability ahead of Afghanistan Test

Najmul Hossain Shanto's return to the Bangladesh Test squad has given the team an important boost just two days before their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Shanto, who missed Bangladesh's Asian Games campaign after falling ill in Japan, has joined his teammates in the United Arab Emirates after completing his recovery at home. His availability removes one of the major uncertainties surrounding Bangladesh's preparations for the Test, which begins on Friday.

The Bangladesh captain was forced to return home after developing a persistent fever following the team's arrival in Nagoya. He was ruled out of the Asian Games on September 28 after medical tests confirmed an infection, although influenza and COVID-19 were ruled out.

Bangladesh captain rejoins Test squad after illness as Abu Dhabi assignment moves into its final preparation phase 

His condition improved after returning to Bangladesh, and he resumed batting practice in Mirpur before being cleared to travel. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had remained cautious about his participation, with chief selector Habibul Bashar saying the final decision would depend on his fitness assessment.

Shanto's return is particularly significant because Bangladesh are preparing for a Test in which they will look to build on the progress made during their recent campaign in Australia. 

They won the opening Test in Darwin by nine wickets, securing their first Test victory on Australian soil, before Australia levelled the two-match series in Mackay.

The Afghanistan assignment now offers Bangladesh an opportunity to maintain that momentum in unfamiliar conditions.

The team also completed a two-day warm-up against the UAE in Dubai on Monday. The match ended in a draw, but Bangladesh had useful contributions from both their batting and bowling units. Iqbal Hossain Emon took four wickets for 30 runs and Taijul Islam claimed three, while Soumya Sarkar and Shadman Islam put together a 108-run opening stand.

Bangladesh finished their second innings at 114 for three, with Mushfiqur Rahim unbeaten on 44.

Shanto did not feature in that practice match, but his return gives the team additional experience at the top of the order and restores its regular Test leadership ahead of the Afghanistan challenge.

The Test will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from October 9 to 13. Bangladesh have also recalled Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali to the Test squad, while Taskin Ahmed has been rested as part of workload management.

With the preparations now entering their final stage, Shanto's return leaves Bangladesh with fewer selection uncertainties and a more settled group heading into the first major red-ball assignment of the UAE tour.