BAN vs SL: Shoriful expected to return

Bangladesh would be relieved to learn that fast bowler Shoriful Islam will be available for the next home series against Sri Lanka.

Shoriful was named in Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test, pending his fitness.

He was recently sent to Singapore by Bangladesh Cricket Board for an assessment of his stomach ailments, which had been bothering him for a long time.

The left-arm pace bowler’s participation in first Test of the two-match Test series, which is set to begin in Chattogram on May 15, has been called into question due to the prospect of him having to have surgery for an abdominal condition.

On Saturday (April 30), BCB officials verified that, after reviewing his condition, physicians in Singapore indicated that he would not require surgery at this time.

“He (Shoriful) will be available for us from the first Test against Sri Lanka because he will not require any surgery at this time,” BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin stated.

“It will be a huge help for us, especially since Taskin (Ahmed) is currently unavailable.”

Taskin is scheduled to fly to England on May 4 to check his shoulder issue, which forced him to miss the Sri Lankan Test series.