Shakib clears fitness test to play Bangabandhu T20 Cup

Achieves highest scores in beep test

November 12, 2020 00:00:00

Shakib Al Hasan at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in the city after the beep test on Wednesday morning — UNB

Bangladesh's ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan passed the fitness test with ease on Wednesday morning ahead of a five-team T20 league starting later this month, report agencies.

He scored over 13 in the BCB fitness test where the benchmark was set at 11.

Shakib's score is the highest amongst the cricketers who undertook the beep test to attain eligibility to play the forthcoming Bangabandhu T20 Cup. The previous best scores in the beep test belonged to pacer Mehedi Hasan, who scored 13.6 while Nihad Uz Zaman had scored 13.4.

"Shakib showed how serious he was as far as the fitness is concerned. He worked hard always to keep him fit, during the time when he was away from the cricket," BCB trainer Tusher Kanti Howlader said on Wednesday.

"He scored 13.7, which is the highest amongst the players who appeared for the beep test this time. This is really something what we expected from a top class player like him."

BCB had decided that the players selected in the draft list for the upcoming T20 tournament - slated to begin from the third week of November - will have to undergo a mandatory fitness test before being considered eligible for the competition.

Clearing the fitness test makes Shakib eligible for the T20 tournament that will mark his comeback to competitive cricket following his one year ICC ban that was lifted on October 29 for failing to report corrupt approaches.

''He passed the fitness test and now is eligible to take part in the tournament,'' BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz on Wednesday.

After completing the beep test, Shakib spent an hour in the BCB gymnasium sweating it out under the supervision of BCB's strength and conditioning coach Nick Lee.

The draft for the Bangabandhu T20 tournament will take place today (Thursday).

Shakib's one-year ban for failing to report corrupt approaches ended recently.

The all-rounder said he was eager to get back to competitive cricket. He played his last recognised cricket back in October 2019 in the Caribbean Premier League.

Shakib might get a chance to make his comeback to international cricket early next year when the West Indies will visit Bangladesh for a full series.