Bangladesh’s ODI captain, Shakib Al Hasan, is reported to have suffered a foot injury during an evening training session on Thursday. As a result, he was absent during the toss, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz is currently leading the team in their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
Reports suggest that this injury will rule Shakib out of Bangladesh’s upcoming second warm-up match against England on October 2, as well as their first league-stage game against Afghanistan on October 7.
Shakib plays a crucial role in the Bangladesh team due to his exceptional skills and experience. He was one of the top run-scorers in the previous tournament held in England and played a pivotal role in their narrow victory over India during the Super Four stages of the 2023 Asia Cup.
In the warm-up clash against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, Bangladesh lost the toss and were asked to bowl first. The Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lankan side managed to accumulate 103 runs in 14 overs and is aiming for their third consecutive victory against Bangladesh, having defeated them twice in the 2023 Asia Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan’s untimely injury adds to the challenges that Bangladesh has faced in the lead-up to the tournament. A feud between two senior players, Shakib and Tamim Iqbal, has been a cause for concern, resulting in Tamim’s exclusion from the 2023 ODI World Cup squad.
