Shakib Al Hasan has once again found himself at the center of a fitness dilemma. Murali Karthik, while commentating, shed light on the fact that Shakib’s bowling finger is swollen and rigid, and the player is also struggling with a shoulder injury. Yet, surprisingly, Bangladesh’s batting coach David Hemp mentioned that he wasn’t aware of the star player’s condition.
Shakib’s bowling performance
In the first Test against India, Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling figures raised questions. He bowled just 21 overs throughout the match and failed to take a wicket, conceding runs at an expensive rate. In the first innings, he bowled only eight overs and leaked 50 runs, while in the second innings, he delivered 13 overs and conceded 79 runs. His bowling struggles were evident, and fans and experts alike began to wonder if he was carrying an injury.
Murali Karthik’s revelation
Former Indian cricketer and current commentator, Murali Karthik, revealed on air that Shakib was indeed playing with a swollen and rigid bowling finger, a result of a prior surgery. He also noted that the he was dealing with a shoulder injury, which may have contributed to his limited effectiveness with the ball.
Karthik stated, “He’s had a finger surgery on his bowling finger, which is the point of his left hand. It is swollen, it is rigid, and there’s no movement, no suppleness to it. Also, he is having issues with his shoulder, so it’s a combination of both.”
David Hemp’s response
When asked about Shakib’s fitness after the game, Bangladesh’s batting coach, David Hemp, seemed unaware of the specifics regarding the injury. His response raised eyebrows as he said, “No, not aware of that at all, sorry.” This statement led to further speculation about communication within the Bangladesh camp.
Shakib Al Hasan is undoubtedly Bangladesh’s most important player, both as a bowler and a batter. His ability to lead from the front, especially in challenging conditions, has made him a pivotal figure in Bangladesh cricket for over a decade. His experience is crucial for the team’s success, particularly in high-pressure series like the one against India.
Hemp’s analysis of pitch
In his post-match analysis, David Hemp acknowledged that while the wicket was still a good one for batting, India’s high-quality bowling attack posed a serious challenge for Bangladesh. He noted that Ravichandran Ashwin, in particular, got a few deliveries to bounce significantly, which could be a sign of what’s to come on Day 4.
“In terms of days to bat, it’s still a good wicket. Today, we’ve seen that (Ravichandran) Ashwin obviously got a couple of balls to bounce quite significantly. But, if you still miss, you can still score. So for us tomorrow, it’s still a reasonable surface. Obviously, we’re playing against India, who possess some quality bowling, a very confident side, especially playing at home. So, you’re going to be challenged,” Hemp stated. He also acknowledged that facing a confident Indian side, especially on their home turf, would be no easy task.
While the injury to Shakib has been a setback, the Bangladesh team will need to focus on batting with resilience and patience. Given Shakib’s injury concerns, it remains to be seen whether he will continue to play in the upcoming matches or whether the team management will decide to give him rest.
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