"I haven't heard from my physio or anyone, so he is eligible for selection" - Bangladesh coach on Shakib's availability for IND vs BAN 2024 2nd TestÂ
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has maintained that there is no apparent reason for Shakib Al Hasan to miss the upcoming second Test against India in Kanpur, scheduled to begin on Friday, September 27. There were doubts regarding the veteran all-rounder's availability owing to a finger injury he sustained during the series opener.
Shakib was far from fully fit to bowl as a frontline spinner in the first Test in Chennai. He contributed only 21 overs across both innings after bowling three times the number of overs in a County Championship game for Surrey ahead of the series.
During the break between the two Tests, Bangladesh physio and a selector said that Shakib is being kept under observation, and a call regarding his selection will be taken as the match nears.
However, head coach Chandika Hathurasingha mentioned that he has not been given any information regarding the injury that should affect his participation.
"I have not heard anything on Shakib regarding any complaints. About Shakib Al Hasan there is no doubt at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or anyone, so he is eligible for selection, " Hathurusingha said during the pre-match press conference in Nagpur.
Shakib Al Hasan has also been dealing with a shoulder injury which affected his bowling in the first innings. The injury dates back to the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where he had to withdraw towards the end of the campaign.
His finger issue became a concern when he was hit by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery in the second innings in Chennai.
"The physio has kept him under observation" - Bangladesh selector's update regarding Shakib
The all-rounder notched a couple of starts across both innings with the bat, but could not prevent Bangladesh losing by 280 runs. However, on the bowling front, Shakib was far from his usual self and was punished by the Indian batters, leading to his economy rate exceeding six runs in both innings.
As the second Test will be played on a spin-friendly black soil track and Shakib adds to the team balance, his presence becomes vital.
"We don't want to make a decision yet. These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio's feedback," Bangladesh selector Hannan Sarkar told reporters.
Bangladesh, currently trailing 0-1 in the series, are set to take on India in the second Test amid growing security threats at Green Park in Kanpur.