Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to make his return to Test cricket after a year-long absence, as he has been included in the Bangladesh squad for the second and final Test against Sri Lanka. The match will be played in Chattogram, starting on March 30.

Shakib last played a Test match in April 2023 against Ireland in Mirpur. He has more than 4000 runs and over 200 wickets in Test. His return is a major boost for Bangladesh, who are trailing 1-0 in the series after a heavy defeat in the first Test.

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Batter Tawhid Hridoy, who was part of the squad for the first Test, has been omitted to make way for Shakib. Additionally, pacer Mushfik Hasan has been ruled out due to an ankle injury and will be replaced by Hasan Mahmud. While Mahmud has represented Bangladesh in 39 white-ball matches, he is yet to make his Test debut.

The second Test is a crucial encounter for Bangladesh as they look to level the series and earn valuable points in the ICC World Test Championship cycle.

In the first Test, Bangladesh suffered a thumping defeat by over 300 runs after the batters failed to prove their mettle against the quality Sri Lankan attack. However, prior to the Test series, Bangladesh won the ODI series after losing the T20I series.

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Bangladesh squad for the second Test vs Sri Lanka: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Litton Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud //