Shamim likely to make World Cup debut

Since star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out for the remaining two matches of the ICC T20 World Cup due to his hamstring injury, it will be a tough ask for head coach Russell Domingo and the Tigers' team management to field a balanced playing eleven on their fourth Super 12 encounter against South Africa in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

However, Shakib's absence could see young all-rounder Shamim Hossain make his T20 World Cup debut.  

"Shamim [Hossain] and Soumya Sarkar, the back-up batsmen, will be in the starting XI tomorrow," Domingo confirmed during the pre-match press conference today. 

Shamim making his World Cup debut could also mean that Bangladesh may have four specialist bowlers in the playing eleven. With three seamers -- Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam Mustafizur Rahman -- and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed are certain to start and complete their four-over spells in tomorrow's game, the remaining quota of four overs are expected to be bowled by skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain and Soumya. 

Meanwhile, Domingo also admitted that losing Shakib will affect the team's balance heavily. 

"Shakib is obviously a big loss as it affects the balance of the side," Domingo said. 

"The team will also miss his leadership and the calmness that he brings to pressure situations. When he doesn't play, you go in the game a batsman or a bowler light. You might have to play a part-time bowler. It does provide someone new an opportunity to make his first World Cup appearance tomorrow," Domingo added. 

Shakib's presence provides the luxury of adding an extra batsman or a bowler in the side, depending on the demands of the conditions, as the premier cricketer guarantees bowling the full quota of four overs and also brings huge stability in the batting department.

It came as a huge blow to the Bangladesh team after Shakib injured his hamstring while fielding during the game against West Indies on October 29 and eventually the reports revealed that the 34-year-old had suffered a grade 1 tear on his hamstring.

Shakib will leave the team hotel and will travel to the United States today to stay beside his family while Bangladesh will be desperate to replace their best cricketer in search for their maiden win in the main round of the flagship event.

Interestingly, Bangladesh squad currently consists of 13 fit players. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan, who is recovering from his abdominal injury that he sustained ahead of the game against England, will also miss tomorrow's clash against South Africa.

As the Bangladesh team management had already included Rubel Hossain, the only reserve player that they brought for the mega event, to the squad in place of an injured Mohammad Saifuddin after the first game against Sri Lanka, there is no scope for the Tigers to include any more reserve players from outside.

Domingo was asked whether having enough backup players in the squad could have helped the team in such a situation. The South African, however, remained optimistic with the available cricketers in the side.

"We came here with two spare batters, two spare fast bowlers, an offspinner and two wicketkeepers in the group. I still feel we are covered for the last two games. I don't think we needed to bring more back-up players.

The alarming part is that if any of the specialist bowlers have a bad day at the office, Bangladesh's bowling unit may find themselves wanting in a dire situation which could lead to yet another disaster for the Tigers.