New Delhi: Bangladesh have been dealt with a huge blow ahead of the second Test against India at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur as there are doubts over star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s availability due to a finger injury. Shakib injured his finger while batting during the recently concluded 1st Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The left-hander was hit by a delivery from Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and received immediate medical attention. Shakib, who is one of the most experienced players in the Bangladesh side, is a vital cog in the team’s batting and bowling line-up. The Bangladesh team management has decided not to rush to any conclusion and take a call on Shakib’s injury after observing him for another couple of days.
“We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow (Tuesday) and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterwards and we will judge after that (regarding Shakib’s availability in 2nd Test) and we don’t want to make a decision yet,” Hannan Sarkar, a member of Bangladesh’s selection panel, was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Sarkar revealed Shakib is currently under observation and the final call regarding his participation will be taken after the feedback from the medical team. Shakib was not used properly as a bowler by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto during the Chennai Test. However, Sarkar brushed off rumours that Shakib carried an injury during the Test match.
“These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio’s feedback. We have to think before picking Shakib for the next match and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in,” said the Bangladesh selector.
How did Shakib perform in Chennai Test?
Shakib didn’t have a great outing with the bat and the ball in the series opener between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. The former Bangladesh skipper went wicket-less with the ball in India’s both innings and could only manage to score 57 runs in the two innings combined.
The left-hander scored 32 runs in Bangladesh’s first innings as the visitors got bowled out for 149 runs, in reply to India’s first-innings total of 376 runs. He followed it up with a 25-run knock in the second innings as Bangladesh faltered heavily in the mammoth 515-run chase.
India and Bangladesh will lock horns in the 2nd Test of the two-match series at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, starting September 27. A star all-rounder’s participation in the Test match is doubtful due to an injury. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
