IND vs BAN 2024: Shakib Al Hasan kept under observation ahead of Kanpur Test

Bangladesh have not gotten off to the best of starts against India and foot for the visitors. Taking on the Rohit Sharma-led side in Chennai for the first Test, Bangladesh suffered a mammoth 280-run loss and have put their hopes onto the upcoming clash in Kanpur.

However, they have dealt a blow as veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is kept under observation, is not a certainty for the Kanpur Test. In the Chennai Test, Shakib sustained a finger injury after he was hit in the hand by Jasprit Bumrah.  In recent weeks, there have been many criticisms flying Shakib's way; however, according to selector Hannan Sarkar, Shakib’s batting had nothing missing against India.

"Shakib is our best player. When he is in the playing eleven, it's easier for us to form the team combination. I liked his batting. In his batting approach, compared to others and compared to how Shakib has batted before, he appeared very confident. He played with ease and handled the pressure. Yes, he didn't score big but he is always important to the balance of the side,” Hannan was quoted as saying by the Daily Star. 

Shakib scored 32 and 25 runs across the two innings against India, and bowled a few overs as well. However, he was unable to make a huge impact on the game. Furthermore, Hannan also talked about how there was no pain in Shakib’s hand before the clash against India in Chennai, and the issues in his arose during the game itself. 

"We always have to think before picking Shakib for the next match and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in. We know the pain in his hand is being discussed. It was not there before the match and many have tried to explain it in different ways. But before the match, we got a 100 percent clearance from the physio before taking him. He was a 100 percent fit then,” Hannan said.