Shakib and Co prepare for biggest test yet
After two days of rest, sandwiched by Liton Das' outburst and unclear status of skipper Shakib Al Hasan's injury, Bangladesh returned to action with all smiles at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune yesterday.
The Tigers appeared as a rejuvenated pack following two heavy defeats against England and New Zealand. The training session began with all players and the coaching staff huddled for a pep talk, followed by a footvolley session where Shakib was seen playing the role of the coach, instructing his side on how to get those points.
It was the Bangladesh skipper, who had grabbed all the limelight after his thigh injury, sustained in their previous game, put his participation in doubt for Bangladesh's crucial tie against India on Thursday.
Shakib, however, remained active following warm-up and underwent light-intensity batting training with pads on, knocking in the net for around ten minutes. Bangladesh team physio Bayzid Ul Islam and team doctor Monzur Hossain Chowdhury were constantly monitoring his movements and helping him to stretch at times.
The 36-year-old later batted against the spinners and middled the balls with relative ease after mistiming the initial deliveries. After completing the net session which lasted around 45 minutes, Shakib went through a low-intensity running session for another 10-12 minutes and did not seem to be in any form of discomfort.
He did not bowl in the nets, though. Overall, all those activities were not enough to gauge whether the premier all-rounder will be available against India. Eventually, Shakib's fate hinges on another MRI scan, which he was supposed to take after yesterday's training session.
Since his injury is of a Grade-1 tear, serious concern remains any further stress on his injured area could totally jeopardise his participation for the remainder of the tournament.
The Bangladesh team management, thus, is set to wait till the eleventh hour to make the call on Shakib.
Meanwhile, hosts India also trained at the same venue from 6 pm in the evening. Rohit Sharma and his troops, who won their first three matches in comprehensive fashion, will be eager to register their fourth consecutive win.
India are flying high and are overwhelming favourites against Bangladesh, even though the latter have won three of their last four ODIs against the former since the 2019 World Cup. Given the gulf of collective skill and form, Bangladesh will surely bank on Shakib to get their tournament back on track, sooner rather than later.
And there can be no better way to do so than by staging a massive upset against the pre-tournament favourites on October 19.
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