Bangladesh national cricket team remains confused about captain Shakib Al Hasan for the next match against host India at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Thursday next.
Tigers skipper suffered injury a left quad against New Zealand match on October 13. Team Director Khaled Mahmud said Shakib feels well. ‘Team physio is monitoring him closely during practice session in Pune on Tuesday.’
Shakib became injured while taking a run during the New Zealand match. He continued batting for a while, and he also bowled his quota of 10 overs but it was clear that he was battling through pain. He had a scan in Chennai shortly after the game, but reportedly, he is pain-free.
"Shakib is getting better, He is pain-free. But we will know the full scenario when he hits the nets on Wednesday. He will also do running between the wickets. We are hopeful that he can play against India. He worked in a swimming session, and some upper-half work in the gym. There will be a scan which will give us a clearer picture of his situation, said Mahmud.
Shakib wishes to play but his inclusion was not so straightforward. Usually the injury cause a lot of pain," added the Team Director.
Khaled Mahmud expressed that it is tough to walk around even. Shakib is quite well. It is giving us hope that he has a chance to play against the men in Blue. Shakib played three matches in this World Cup and scored only 55 runs. A some of 40 runs came from his willow against New Zealand. His batting average 18. 33 runs. He took five wickets conceding 131 runs from the same matches. His best figure is in the this tournament against Afghanistan, bagged three wickets for 25 runs.
The middle order batter did well in 2011 World Cup against India. He scored 55 runs from 50 deliveries at Sher-E-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka. He also took one wicket conceding 61 runs from that game.
Shakib conditions is well enough. He is fit more than 85-90%, like he was in the last game after getting injured, we are hopeful too. But it depends on his 100% fitness."
Mahmud said that they will still be cautious about not risking Shakib with six matches remaining for Bangladesh in the campaign. "We don't want him to miss the rest of the tournament after playing one more game. There are six games remaining.
"It is the doctor and physio's call. We don't want to trouble him in the long term. If he gets clearance from the physio, he will play."
The Bangladesh team got a two-day break in Pune and they return to training on Tuesday. Tigers won only one of their three games.
