Xtra Time Web Desk: In what comes as a huge setback for Bangladesh cricket team, captain Shakib Al Hasan suffered an unfortunate injury during warm up session involving a game of football. The injury, located in his right heel, will force Shakib to sit out of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka, and there are concerns that he might miss additional fixtures, including the second warm-up game against England on October 2 and the opening match against Afghanistan on October 7. The absence of Shakib has prompted Mehidy Hasan Miraz to take up the leadership role in the team for the match against Sri Lanka.
Though reports indicate significant swelling in Shakib’s injured heel, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not yet provided an official update on the extent of the injury. The Bangladesh squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been carefully curated, aiming for balance, with the exclusion of Tamim Iqbal and the return of Mahmudullah Riyad.
Shakib Al Hasan, being one of the premier all-rounders in world cricket, plays a pivotal role for Bangladesh, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. His absence due to injury raises concerns about the team’s performance in the upcoming tournament. In his 240 ODIs, Shakib has amassed 7384 runs and taken over 300 wickets, showcasing his prowess in both facets of the game. Notably, he had a stellar performance in the 2019 World Cup, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 606 runs.