It came as a surprise to many when all-rounder Shakib al Hasan walked in for the toss as the captain of Bangladesh against India in the second and final warm-up game at Kennington Oval on Tuesday.
There was some curiosity over whether regular ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza might be suffering from injury when a few journalists from Bangladesh approached the Tigers dug-out for information from the team management.
It was still not clear as the Tigers coaching staff comprising head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, pace bowling coach Courtney Walsh, assistant and fielding coach Richard Halsall, batting consultant Thilan Samaraweera and trainer Mario Villavarayan looked busy in an intense meeting after the toss at Kennington Oval.
The scenario made the journalists more curious to know about the update of the Tigers captain. When Hathurusingha walked near the boundary rope, he was asked whether Mashrafe was rested or suffering from any injury. The reply from the Tigers coach was epic. He said, “Well, he broke his leg.”Hathurusingha then walked away with a smile and it took no time for the Bangladeshi journalists to realise that it was a light-hearted reply by the Bangladesh coach.
It was Samaraweera who later confirmed the curious media that there are no injury concerns for Mashrafe and that he has been rested ahead of the 2017 Champions Trophy opener against host England on Thursday.
“No, no, there is no injury concern for Mashrafe, he is just given rest, that’s it,” said Samaraweera.
It should be mentioned that Bangladesh will be playing the England match at the same ground just a couple of days after the India game. Keeping the England tie in mind and the short gap between matches, the team management opted to rest the Tigers skipper, which will surely recharge the batteries of the "Narail Express".
It was also learned that opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and paceman Shafiul Islam were rested for the India clash.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
