(Image source: X.com/@ICC)
[Saba Sports News] Even on the eve of the match versus Bangladesh scheduled at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan’s participation remains doubtful.
Shakib, who picked up a left quadricep injury on Friday against New Zealand in Chennai, left the field during the match. In his absence, Najmul Hossain Shanto led the team for the remaining part of the game.
On Tuesday, Shakib batted in the nets for 45 minutes, and it was speculated that he would recover in time to play against India. However, it is not a confirmed news as on the day before the fixture, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha shared an update on Shakib’s fitness during the pre-match press conference.
“He had a good batting session yesterday and did a little bit of running between the wickets as well. We did a scan today, we are waiting for the result. At the moment, he is okay,” Hathurusingha told reporters.
He further added that they will not risk Shakib and will give him time to recover instead of rushing him into the game if he is not fit enough to play.
“We haven’t tried with him bowling yet. We will assess him again and we will make a decision. If he is not ready to play, we won’t risk him. But if he is ready, then there is a chance of him playing tomorrow,” Hathurusingha added.
Bangladesh are currently placed sixth on World Cup 2023 points table, winning only one out of three matches. Bangladesh won their first tie of the competition against Afghanistan but lost two consecutive matches after that to England and New Zealand as their campaign derailed.