Mohammed Shami, as expected, will be playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for Bengal. The senior India pacer features in the 20-member Bengal squad, which was finalised on Monday. Bengal, to be led by Sudip Gharami, begin their campaign in the national T20 tournament against Punjab in Rajkot on Saturday.

It’s not clear, though, as to whether the Bengal squad selected was for the entire tournament or the first few matches. But in Shami’s case, it was learnt that the 34-year-old could play Bengal’s first couple of games or at best, the first three before getting the national selectors’ nod for the Australia tour.

“He (Shami) will still target the third Test (in Brisbane from December 14), so there is still a lot of time left. He might play two to three games (in Syed Mushtaq Ali) and go to Australia and spend 10 days or so there before the third Test,” a BCCI official said.

Shami bowled a good 43.2 overs in his comeback game in Indore, playing a vital role in Bengal’s 11-run win in the Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh.