New injury puts Shakib out of action

Bangladesh faced a huge setback as ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan sustained yet another injury that may hinder him from taking further part in the ongoing first Test against the West Indies at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city. 

Shakib had some injury concerns before the match as he was nursing a left groin injury incurred during the third and final ODI against the visitors, and after playing a 68-run knock and bowling six overs, he suffered an injury in another region of the same thigh that forced him to leave the field late in the second day.

On Friday, the third day of the game, he did not return to the field.  

“Having recovered from his previous groin injury ahead of the first Test and successfully managing to bat in the Bangladesh first innings as well as send down six overs, all-rounder Shakib al Hasan  has suffered a strain in a different region of his left thigh while fielding on day two,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board in a statement Friday.

“The injury was confirmed by an MRI scan this morning. The BCB medical team will continue to treat and review his progress over the course of the first Test,” it added.

Shakib, who returned to Test cricket for the first time after serving his one-year ban imposed by the ICC for failing to report multiple corrupt approaches, batted for 150 balls in the first innings and did not seem to struggle. 

However, in the final session of the second day when he tried to pluck a ball off his own bowling, he felt grimacing pain and did not field for the last 12 overs.

Bangladesh opted to field Yasir Ali Rabbi in place of Shakib in the third morning and it seems the injury may not allow the former national team captain to resume the match unless a crisis situation arises.

According to the ICC rules, a substitute is only allowed if a player suffers a new injury during any ongoing game, and not for any old injury.