Kanpur Test: Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan is available for selection
Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, has confirmed that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is available for selection in the upcoming second Test against India. This announcement comes amid speculation about Shakib's participation due to his underwhelming performance in the first Test. Despite rumors of a finger injury, Hathurusinghe stated that he has not received any information from the team physio or anyone else regarding this issue. Here's more.
Shakib's performance in 1st Test raises questions
Shakib bowled eight overs in the first innings, conceding 50 runs (ER: 6.20). He scored a 64-ball 32 with the bat thereafter in Bangladesh's score of 149. Shakib then bowled 13 overs, giving away 79 runs. Notably, he failed to bowl a single maiden across two innings. During Bangladesh's chase, Shakib managed 25 runs from 56 balls. Shakib contributed to Bangladesh's defeat by a massive margin of 280 runs in Chennai.
Hathurusinghe expresses disappointment over team's overall performance
When questioned about Shakib's performance, Hathurusinghe expressed his disappointment not with the individual player but with the team's overall showing. "I'm upset not about his performance but our overall performance, we could have done better," he stated. The coach also acknowledged Shakib's potential for improvement and praised his batting in the second innings despite the challenges posed by India.
Shakib's recent struggles and Hathurusinghe's confidence
Shakib has been struggling in recent matches as well. During Bangladesh's historic Test series victory in Pakistan, he scored only 15, 2, and 21 in his three outings. His scores in the previous T20 and First-Class matches against various opponents were also low. Despite these challenges and political unrest back home, Hathurusinghe expressed confidence in Shakib's abilities and dismissed concerns about security during their tour of India.
Bangladesh's strategy for the 2nd Test
As Bangladesh trail 0-1 in the two-match series, a stronger batting performance is crucial in the upcoming Test. Hathurusinghe revealed that the team has discussed their shortcomings and emphasized on making a strong start. He also hinted at potential changes to their left-hand heavy top-order but clarified that any decision would not be impulsive or based solely on hand dominance.
Najmul Shanto defended Shakib Al Hasan's performance amid fitness concerns
Bangladesh cricket team captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, defended all-rounder Shakib's performance in the just concluded first Test versus India. This came after questions were raised about Shakib's fitness and ability to handle the rigors of five-day cricket. Shanto emphasized that he evaluates players based on their dedication and effort, rather than just their performance. "As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game," he told reporters at the post-match press conference.
