Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo Source: Twitter)
In a surprising turn of events at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Bangladesh’s Najmul Hussain Shanto took the reins as captain for the 17th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, in place of Shakib Al Hasan. Following a successful toss win, Shanto opted to bat first.
When queried about the conspicuous absence of the seasoned all-rounder, Shanto revealed that Shakib had succumbed to an injury, and the star player is “struggling a bit” ultimately leading to his replacement by Nasum Ahmed.
This unexpected twist has certainly left cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting updates on Shakib’s condition and Bangladesh’s performance in his absence. In a double blow for Bangladesh, the formidable pacer Taskin Ahmed is notably absent from the action.
Taskin, the team’s primary strike bowler alongside Mustafizur Rahman, could have posed a lethal threat with the new ball. However, Bangladesh’s strategic move saw Taskin making way for Hasan Mahmud, a decision that has certainly stirred discussions in the cricketing world.
Shakib Al Hasan struggling with a niggle in left quadriceps
Bangladesh’s skipper Shakib had to watch the battle against India from the sidelines due to a lingering injury sustained during a previous clash in the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand. The indomitable all-rounder had bravely soldiered on despite injuring his left quadriceps, displaying tremendous grit by compiling a 51-ball 40 with the bat and courageously completing his full quota of 10 overs, dismissing Kiwi opener Devon Conway.
His physical discomfort was palpable while running and notably he was conspicuously absent during the post-match presentation ceremony, underscoring the extent of his injury and commitment to the game. Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, emphasized that the star all-rounder would participate in the World Cup match against India only if he regains full fitness.