In welcome news for Bangladesh, Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto is expected to join his teammates in the United Arab Emirates ahead of the first Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi from October 9.

Shanto, who was ruled out of Bangladesh's Asian Games campaign with fever, did not accompany his teammates who left for the UAE earlier, casting doubts over the Test captain’s availability for the one-off fixture.

However, BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar said he is hopeful of Shanto’s participation in the Test, adding that he is expected to fly out on October 6 if everything goes according to plan.

Shanto had been suffering from fever since Bangladesh landed in Japan and had to return home as the fever persisted even after four days had passed. The BCB conducted tests for his low-grade fever, which confirmed an infection, although he tested negative for influenza and COVID-19.

“I am hopeful that he will be available for the opening Test against Afghanistan,” Bashar told Cricbuzz on Friday.

“He hasn't been ruled out yet and I've spoken with him. When you have such a fever the body gets weak and in Japan he was stuck in the hotel and he found it hard to eat food in the hotel as he couldn't go out.

“But now he's feeling alright and overall he's in good shape,” he added.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be played from October 9 to 13 at the Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. An ODI tri-series featuring the two teams and Zimbabwe will then take place from October 17 to 23, where Shanto is expected to play a key role. The first two matches of the tri-series will be played in Abu Dhabi before the action moves to Sharjah for the rest of the series.