DHAKA, August 14, 2024 (BSS)- Star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan joined the team 
as the Tigers began their training session in Lahore to prepare them for the 
two-match Test series against Pakistan.

Shakib joined the team straight from the USA, where he was with his family 
after ending his stint with Bangla Tigers Mississauga in Global T20 League in 
Canada.

His compatriot pacer Shoriful Islam who also played for the Canadian T20 
League for Bangla Tigers joined the side from Bangladesh.

The all-rounder's availability in the Pakistan series was in limbo following 
the fall of Awami League-led government, in which Shakib was an MP.

However, ending the speculations, the Bangladesh selection panel named him in 
the squad and also announced that he is available for all eight Tests of the 
country in this year.

The training session in Lahore today was Bangladesh's first official session 
for the series. As there was turmoil in the country following the fall of the 
government, there was security concern of the cricketers. In the wake of the 
situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed Bangladesh to arrive 
here earlier than the scheduled time.

The BCB responded to the proposal and outlined a practice schedule in Lahore. 
Bangladesh will train here in Lahore till August 16 before they move to 
Rawalpindi, the venue of the first Test, on August 17.
 
The opening Test begins from August 21 while the second and final Test is 
from August 30 in Karachi.

Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, 
Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, 
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, 
Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Syed Khaled Ahmed.