Bangladesh team director in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023, Khaled Mahmud believes captain Shakib al Hasan is suffering from tear on the left quadriceps.
Though the Bangladesh team management did not mention the intensity of the injury following medical check-up of the star all-rounder, Mahmud informed the media while travelling from Chennai to Pune that Shakib is dealing with a muscle tear.
However, he could not confirm the extent of the injury.
“I think there is a small tear but we are yet to know if it is Grade 1 or 2. We are still waiting for a detailed report. We are hoping to have him available for the India game [Thursday in Pune],” said Bangladesh Cricket Board director Mahmud at the airport in Chennai.
Shakib picked up the injury while batting against New Zealand in Chennai Friday.
The Bangladesh skipper left the field to undergo an MRI of the affected area during the game, but only after completing his full quota of 10 overs.
Top-order batter Nazmul Hossain Shanto as the vice-captain led the team in Shakib’s absence.
“The player felt uncomfortable in the left quadriceps region when he was batting. He later fielded and completed his full quota of 10 overs. He had an MRI scan done after the game and we will continue to observe his fitness for the coming matches. We will clinically assess his day-to-day progress and take measures accordingly,” said Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan in an update.
Bangladesh in the world event are not in the best of shape having lost two off three games played.
They made a winning start with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan before losing the next two matches – against England and New Zealand by 137 runs and eight wickets respectively.
Since then, Bangladesh team management and Shakib as captain, have been under severe criticism.
Their experimental mindset and an unsettled dressing-room in a major tournament are being blamed for the failures.
Bangladesh in their fourth game of the tournament will take on high-flying hosts India at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune Thursday.
