Shanto is expected to travel to the United Arab Emirates on October 6, provided his recovery continues as planned.
The left-hander fell ill with a fever after arriving in Japan for the Asian Games.
As the fever persisted for four days, he was sent back to Bangladesh for further medical assessment. Tests conducted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later detected an infection, although he tested negative for both influenza and COVID-19.
BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar told Cricbuzz that Shanto remains in contention for the Afghanistan Test.
“I am hopeful that he will be able to play the first Test against Afghanistan. He has not been ruled out yet. I have spoken to him,” Bashar said.
Bashar also provided an update on Shanto’s physical condition, saying the batter is now feeling better after struggling during his time in Japan.
“This type of fever makes the body weak. He was confined to the hotel in Japan and could not go outside, and he was also having problems eating the hotel food. But he is feeling better now and is in good condition overall,” Bashar said.
The one-off Test against Afghanistan is scheduled to begin on October 9 at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and will run until October 13.
Shanto’s availability would provide Bangladesh with added stability in both leadership and batting as they prepare for the Test.
Following the Afghanistan Test, Bangladesh will take part in an ODI tri-series featuring Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
The series will run from October 17 to 23, with the first two matches scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi before the remaining games move to Sharjah.
