Shakib Al Hasan's Availability for Second Test Match Still Uncertain: 'Not Ready to Decide Yet'

New Delhi: The Bangladesh cricket team management is still assessing Shakib Al Hasan's fitness ahead of the second Test match against India in Kanpur. Shakib sustained a finger injury during the first Test in Chennai after being hit by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. The experienced all-rounder was unable to bowl for a significant portion of the match and only managed to bowl 21 overs in total across both innings. His availability for the upcoming match has yet to be confirmed.

Hannan Sarkar, one of the members of BCB’s selection panel, said the team management will take the decision on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability after the training session in Kanpur.

“We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow (Tuesday) and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterwards and we will judge after that (regarding Shakib’s availability in second Test) and we don’t want to make a decision yet,” Hannan told reporters at Chennai on Monday.

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh will start on September 27, and the visitors have enough time to analyse Shakib’s injury and take a call on his availability.

“These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio’s feedback. We have to think before picking Shakib for the next match and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in,” he said.

Tamim Iqbal, who was providing commentary in Kanpur, disclosed that Murali Karthik spoke with Shakib Al Hasan during the match. The Bangladesh all-rounder shared his concerns about his finger, which had undergone surgery, as well as some issues with his shoulder.

Hannan emphasized that Shakib was “100 per cent fit” ahead of the first Test, having received full clearance from the physiotherapist to participate in the match.

“We know the pain in his hand is being discussed. It was not there before the match and many have tried to explain it in different ways. But before the match, we got a 100 percent clearance from the physio before taking him. He was a 100 percent fit then,” said Hannan.

“You can’t say it’s an injury. The discomfort he felt in that finger was not there before the match. He felt that when he started to bowl,” he said.