IND v BAN 2024: Bangladesh undecided over Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for Kanpur Test

Bangladesh could be without their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the second Test against India in Kanpur starting September 27, the team management hinted ahead of their departure from Chennai. The travelling side is trailing (0-1) in the two-match series after going down in the first game by 280 runs. However, Shakib’s absence from the second game would hurt their chances of making a comeback against India in this series.

Shakib hurt his finger (while batting) in his bowling hand (left) during the first Test in Chennai, with Bangladesh Captain Najmul Shanto deciding against bowling him enough in the second innings to avoid it getting aggravated.

Per the latest reports, Bangladesh’s medical staff has put Shakib under observation for at least two days before taking a final call on his participation in the second Test.

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"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 the second Test), and we don't want to make a decision yet," Hannan Sarkar, a member of the BCB's selection panel, said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"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," he said.

Shakib was fit before Chennai Test

Although Shakib batted in both innings, he bowled just 21 overs in the game, eight of which came in the second innings. For Bangladesh’s oldest Test cricketer, he went wicketless in the match for the fifth time in his Test career.

With Shakib’s injury rumoured to be troubling him even before the series began, Hannan put these speculations to rest by admitting that Shakib was declared fully fit before the start of the series.

"We know the pain in his hand is being discussed. It was not there before the match, and many have tried to explain it in different ways. But before the match, we got a 100 per cent clearance from the physio before taking him. He was a 100 per cent fit then," said Hannan.

"You can't say it's an injury. The discomfort he felt in that finger was not there before the match. He felt that when he started to bowl," he continued.

(With inputs from agencies)