Shakib ruled out of T20 World Cup

There were talks right from the start of the day on Sunday whether Shakib Al Hasan, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, might be ruled out for the rest of the ICC T20 World Cup.

After daylong speculation, it emerged from a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) press release in the night that Shakib has been ruled out for the remaining two matches of the ICC T20 World Cup.

It came as a huge blow for a struggling Bangladesh team who have lost the first three games of the Super 12 stage as the 34-year-old will not be taking part in the Tigers' last two Super 12 clashes against South Africa and Australia on November 2 and 4, respectively.

"Shakib sustained a left lower hamstring strain while fielding during the match against the West Indies. In a clinical examination, it was diagnosed as an injury of Grade 1 intensity. He is ruled out from participation in the last two matches of the tournament and until further review," BCB's chief physician doctor Debashish Chowdhury was quoted as saying in a video message provided by the BCB media.

Having suffered a hamstring injury during Bangladesh's latest game against West Indies on Friday, Shakib had opened the batting for the first time in T20Is and was seen struggling while running between the wickets and had also walked off the ground for some time during fielding earlier. Shakib, however, had completed his four-over spell with the ball in that game.

It was also informed that Shakib's condition will be reviewed by the BCB medical team in a week or two.  Bangladesh, however, does not have any more reserve players with the squad for the World Cup and it was confirmed by the BCB that it will not take a replacement for Shakib. It is still not confirmed whether Shakib would stay back with the team or return to the United States to his family.

That raises the question over the lack of foresight by the Bangladesh team management who had no reserve player left with the team as Rubel Hossain, who was the only back up player travelled with the side, has already replaced another injured all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin after the first Super 12 game against Sri Lanka.

With the current situation where wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan Sohan is also suffering from an abdominal injury and is yet to recover, Bangladesh squad now has a total of 13 eligible players for selection.