PUNE: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is still uncertain of playing in Thursday’s crucial ICC Men’s ODI World Cup match against hosts India and a final call on his availability will be taken only on the morning of the match.
Shakib had suffered a left quad injury during Bangladesh’s match against New Zealand a few days back and the team management is sweating on the availability of their best player for the match against table-toppers India.
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Wednesday said that Shakib will play the match only if he is declared 100% fit by the medical staff. “If he is not ready we will not take the risk of putting him in,” he told the pre-match press conference.
Shakib is a key all-rounder for Bangladesh and has claimed 3-30 in the win against Afghanistan and scored a crucial 40 against New Zealand.
The 36-year-old had a lengthy batting practice in nets session on Tuesday and did some running too. However, he did not bowl.
Hathurusinghe said he had a scan on Wednesday and they are waiting for the report before taking a final call on his availability. He avoided a response about his options in case Shakib could not pl ay Thursday’s match. IANS
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