Bangladesh captain Shakib Al-Hasan will play first match against Afghanistan in the World Cup on October 7.
A confusion was there that Skipper Shakib Al Hasan may not play in the first encounter due to painin his left leg he suffered while he was playing football in the night before the warm-up match against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Friday. For this reason, he could not play in the first warm up match.
Shakib, who was the number one all-rounder for a long time in in all formats of cricket has every chance to overtake Ricky Ponting’s record of scoring highest runs in the World Cup, when the former Australian captain scored 597 runs.
However, the media manager of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Rabid Imam informed that Shakib will alos not able to play the second warm up match when he said, “Skipper will not play in the second warm-up match against defending champions England. The captain keeps himself out of the second warm-up match due to a minor injury.”
It was even heard that skipper was uncertain about their first encounter against Afghanistan. But now the uncertainty is over and it is confirmed thatShakibwill play the opening match.
Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujan informed that Shakibwill obviously play in the first match. His injury is not that serious. He will be capable of the first outings.
“Shakib was a bit uncomfortable. As a result, he was given rest as precaution,” said team director.
The team management said, “There is nothing to worry about Shakib Al-Hasan, although it was heard that wide that Skipper probably can’t play in the first encounter in the World Cup. But now we get relief.”
“Shakib will be fully fit before the match against Afghanistan. The team will have full strength in the opening encounter,” added the team director.
Shakib, one of the prolificall rounderand also a great inspiration and as well as a big strength for the team. The all- rounder can play vital role in the match.
Shakib scored 7384 runs in ODI version from 240 games withnine hundreds and 55 fifties in his credits. He took 308 wickets in ODI international matches.
Shakib Al-Hasan’s return to the team is a great boost up for Bangladesh, at his presence the team will be mentally high to fight against all the encounters in the World Cup. Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujun hopes that Shakib and all the members of the team will be fit before the game. The team will be strong enough to fight against Afghanistan at the Dharmsala Stadium at Himachal Pradesh on October 7.
Shakib played 29 matches and scored 1,146 runs with 45.84average in the World Cup so far. He scored two centuries and 10 half-centuries. He is the best at number nine. There is a chance to become the best of three in this World Cup. If he wants to become best of three, hewill have to score 386 runs. To achieve second place he will have to score 597 runs, then will cross Australian former captain Ricky Ponting.