Is Shakib Al Hasan playing today’s SA vs BAN match of 2023 World Cup?
In some good news for the Bangladesh cricket team, skipper Shakib Al Hasan is fit and has returned to the playing XI for the 2023 World Cup match against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Shakib last turned out for the team in the 2023 World Cup during their match against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 13. The all-rounder scored 40 off 51 balls and claimed 1/54 with the ball in 10 overs, dismissing Devon Conway lbw for 45. New Zealand, however, eased to victory by eight wickets in 42.5 overs, chasing a target of 246.
Shakib sustained a quad tear during this match against the Kiwis and missed the game against India, which was played in Pune on October 19. He has, however, recovered and will be looking to make a significant contribution for the team against South Africa. With Shakib back in the playing XI, Bangladesh have left out Towhid Hridoy.
Meanwhile, South Africa are still without the services of their skipper Temba Bavuma, who is yet to recover from his illness. Aiden Markram, captaining in his absence for the second game in a row, won the toss and decided to bat first.
Meanwhile, speaking ahead of Bangladesh’s clash against South Africa, Shakib had expressed confidence in being available for the important match.
He told the media on Monday, October 23:
"When I practiced yesterday, I didn't feel anything negative. I will train today and if everything is okay, then I am fit."
"I regret missing a World Cup match for the first time. Yes, obviously there was some discomfort and I wasn't in a good condition. It was also important to understand whether playing that game would make me miss the rest of the matches or maybe miss one or two games like in Taskin's case, and if that would be good," he added about missing the match against India.
Shakib Al Hasan’s record in the ODI World Cup
A veteran of Bangladesh cricket, Shakib has played 32 matches in the ODI World Cup, scoring 1201 runs at an average of 42.89 and a strike rate of 81.58, with two hundreds and 10 half-centuries.
On the bowling front, he has claimed 39 scalps at an average of 34.82 and an economy rate of 5.08, with one five-fer and one four-wicket haul.