Bangladesh cricket star Shakib al Hasan has commenced his physical training, aiming for a comeback in the upcoming home series against Afghanistan in July, which includes one-day international and Twenty20 international matches.

Due to a finger injury, Shakib has been ruled out of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan that begins this Wednesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The left-arm all-rounder suffered the injury on the tip of his right index finger while attempting a catch during the second ODI against Ireland in Chelmsford, England last month. He has been out of action for approximately six weeks.

Shakib’s rehabilitation process kicked off on Thursday at Mirpur, the cricketing hub in Bangladesh, where he participated in a 45-minute running session on the center field.

Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, the chief physician of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), expressed optimism regarding Shakib’s availability for the ODI series against Afghanistan, stating that the latest x-ray showed positive signs.

However, the BCB has been concerned about the cricketers training in the unusually high temperatures across the country. Measures have been implemented to ensure the players’ fitness and well-being. Pre-hydration is advised to prevent dehydration, along with sufficient breaks during training sessions to minimize heat exposure. Players are instructed to seek shade during these breaks. Frequent water breaks for hydration are provided, and efforts are made to lower the body heat through the application of ice and ice baths.

The BCB acknowledges that managing heat-related risks becomes more challenging during longer-format games, as players are on the field for five consecutive days. Nevertheless, the team has experienced physiotherapists and trainers to provide proper care, and the players themselves are educated about the necessary precautions.

The Afghanistan cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday for the only Test match in Mirpur, taking place from June 14th to 18th. The series will then have a break for Eid-ul-Azha, during which Afghanistan will return home before coming back to Bangladesh on July 1st to complete the remaining matches. The second phase of the series includes three ODIs in Chittagong on July 5th, 8th, and 11th, followed by two T20Is in Sylhet on July 14th and 16th, respectively.