DHAKA, (Reuters) – Pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza will  return as Bangladesh captain for a tri-series in January subject  to a fitness test, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said yesterday.

Mortaza was first nominated as Bangladesh captain in July  for a tour of West Indies but his captaincy lasted only  two-and-a-half-days after he fell awkwardly while bowling on the  third day of the first test at St Vincent.

Mortaza missed the remainder of the series and has been  sidelined since. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh for  the rest of the series as well as for the two series against  Zimbabwe away and at home in his absence.

Mortaza underwent surgery on both knees in Australia in  September and returned to training earlier this month.

“Our physio has declared him fit for play in the January  tri-series. However, we want to see how he does in match  conditions and thus he has been selected for a warm-up match on  December 26,” BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told a news conference.

Bangladesh will host India and Sri Lanka for a tri-series  scheduled from Jan. 4 to 13. The hosts will play two test  matches against India after the series.

Yunus said Shakib would return to his original job as  vice-captain of the side if Mortaza passes the fitness test.