Stellar all-rounder set to lift spirits all around

What could be more auspicious for Bangladesh cricket than to see its premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan back in training ahead of an international series? After more than 10 months, the Tigers are set to get back to the field through a three-ODI and two-Test series against West Indies, starting this month. The challenges for the Tigers are mighty stiff as Bangladesh will begin the year as the ninth-ranked Test side.

It was Afghanistan who had thumped a Shakib-led Bangladesh by 224 runs back in September, 2019 -- the last Test Shakib played before his year-long cricketing exile due to an ICC-imposed ban. Now with Shakib on board, Bangladesh would surely be pumped up to get the year 2021 rolling with a favourable start to their ODI Super League Series, the qualification pathway for the 2023 World Cup -- and also make some amends, from improving position in ICC Test rankings to registering first points in the World Test Championship.