"It is completely his idea" - BCB chief physician over Shakib Al Hasan biting a strap while batting during IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) chief physician Dr. Debashish Chowdhury has claimed that Shakib Al Hasan himself came up with the idea of biting a strap while batting to maintain his head position. Meanwhile, the all-rounder's mentor Mohammad Salahuddin added that the bizarre technique should not be an issue if it's not affecting his health.
Cricket fans were surprised to see Shakib biting a black strap wrapped around his neck while batting in the first Test against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It may be recalled that the left-handed batter was diagnosed with an eye condition last year.
A news report in ESPNcricinfo quoted BCB chief physician Dr. Chowdhury as saying that the star Bangladesh cricketer himself came up with the strap-biting idea to prevent his head from falling over when playing the ball.
"He has come up with this strap. It is completely his idea. It has not come from us. He is working on a way to hold his head position while batting," Dr Chowdhury explained.
"He was trying to manage this with a neck brace previously, so this strap thing is also in a trial-and-error phase. He has tried it in the nets. He has done a lot of shadows (shadow batting practice) with it too," he went on to add.
The report also added that Shakib consulted his eye specialist in Chennai and was told that his eye condition was improving. Meanwhile, the versatile Bangladesh cricketer's mentor Salahuddin backed the 37-year-old over his unconventional method to try and keep his head in a steady position while batting.
"I think it is good for him. I didn't tell him to do this. He came up with the idea. He ties it up around his neck, and biting down on it allows him to keep his neck and head steady. When the head and neck move, the eyes also move, which is not ideal for a batter," Salahuddin explained.
"It is personal thing from him. He will understand if it is working for him or not. I think as long as it doesn't cause a health hazard, it's fine," he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh went down to India by 280 runs in the first Test at Chepauk. The second Test will be played at Green Park in Kanpur starting September 27.
Uncertainty over Shakib's availability for the 2nd Test
Several questions were asked about Shakib's fitness after he only bowled eight overs in the first innings in Chennai. The veteran cricketer was also hit by a delivery from Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and needed some treatment.
BCB officials have confirmed to the media that a call on the all-rounder's availability for the Kanpur Test will be taken following a medical assessment. The 37-year-old went wicketless in the Chennai Test. On the batting front, he scored 32 in the first innings and 25 in the second.