"Team management should have known this before the Test" - Tamim Iqbal on Shakib Al Hasan's limited bowling availability in IND vs BAN 1st Test 2024
Veteran Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal shed light on Shakib Al Hasan's sporadic appearance as a bowler in the ongoing first Test against India at the MA Chidambaram in Chennai. The left-arm all-rounder bowled only eight overs in the first innings, the least among the frontline bowlers by some distance.
Although there was no significant help for the spinners off the red-soil surface, Shakib's introduction in the 53rd over of the innings left many completely baffled. The left-arm spinner could not make an impact with the old ball and against set batters. He ended up conceding 50 runs without taking a wicket in the first innings.
He did not fare any better in the second innings either, finishing with figures of 0-79 off 13 overs.
Tamim Iqbal has expressed his displeasure with how Shakib Al Hasan's bowling services were used in the Test match. He claimed the all-rounder is suffering from a niggle to his finger.
"I was very surprised that Shakib didn't come and bowl and then I got some info from one of our fellow commentators, Murali Karthik was having a word with him. Apparently, he is having some issues with his finger, which had a surgery, and he is having an issue with his shoulder," Tamim told Jio Cinema (via India Today).
"So I believe the team management should have known this before the Test matches because if he was not communicated properly, that means Bangladesh is playing with four bowlers, which is very unfortunate," Tamim said during commentary on Day 3," he added.
The all-rounder was clobbered by both Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant on Day 3 in the second innings with the surface not offering much for the bowlers.
Shakib Al Hasan had bowled 63 overs during the County Championship clash for Surrey against Somerset
The all-rounder had a decent bowling volume under his belt before coming into the India series. He delivered 68 overs in the two-match away Test series against Pakistan before bowling a staggering tally of 63 overs in the thrilling County Championship contest between Surrey and Somerset.
Shakib Al Hasan had finished with figures of 4-97 and 5-96 in the first and second innings respectively, and was posed to be a huge threat to India along with his spin partner Mehidy Hasan Miraz.