Bangladesh’s interim captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has shared an encouraging update regarding Shakib Al Hasan’s readiness for the team’s opening match in the ICC World Cup 2023. Shanto affirmed that Shakib Al Hasan is in excellent health and fully prepared to participate against Afghanistan.
Reportedly, Shakib suffered a foot injury while playing football during a practice session before Bangladesh’s first warm-up game against Sri Lanka on September 29 in Guwahati, as noted by the commentators on the official broadcast of the match.
Regrettably, he couldn’t take part in that game, in which Bangladesh emerged victorious with a seven-wicket lead, headed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the captain. Presently, he seems to be taking another hiatus.
During the recent Asia Cup, Bangladesh felt disappointed as they couldn’t proceed past the Super Four round. However, they ended on a bright note by defeating India in their final encounter. In the upcoming three-match home series against New Zealand, they experimented with various team configurations but fell short with a 2-0 score.
Shakib Al Hasan, alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, brings the most experience to the Bangladeshi side. Shakib boasts an impressive record with 240 ODIs under his belt, amassing 7384 runs, including nine centuries, and snatching 308 wickets, with his best performance being 5/29.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has officially confirmed Shakib’s presence in Bangladesh’s opening match of the ICC World Cup 2023. Their first encounter will be against Afghanistan in Dharamshala on October 7th.
During the toss in the second warm-up match against England, Najmul Hossain Shanto opened up about Shakib Al Hasan‘s availability for their tournament’s opener against Afghanistan.
“We’ll bat first. It’s a fresh wicket. Good opportunity to bat first. (On Shakib) He is 100% fine, he’ll be available for the first match. We played some good cricket in the last game, we still need to improve. I hope everyone plays well,” Shanto said.
Currently, Bangladesh is facing off against the team captained by Jos Buttler at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. It’s worth noting that in the first match at the same venue, Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the team to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka.
Shakib is set to play a pivotal role for Bangladesh due to his exceptional all-round abilities and extensive cricketing experience. This left-handed batsman was the top run-scorer for his team in the 2019 World Cup, amassing an impressive 606 runs with an outstanding average of 86.57, which included two centuries and five half-centuries.
Bangladesh World Cup 2023 squad:
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Comments 1