Shakib fit for Kanpur Test, says Hathurusingha

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is upbeat about Shakib Al Hasan's availability in the second and final Test against India, starting on Friday at Kanpur.

Shakib sustained an injury during the first Test in Chennai when he was hit by a delivery of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bangladesh eventually lost the match by 280 runs and the second Test turned out to be 'do or die' game if they want to avoid another series defeat to India. "I have not heard anything on Shakib regarding any complaints," Hathurusingha told the reporters at Kanpur today after Bangladesh's training session. "As of now, he is available for the selection."

Shakib was off colour in the Chennai Test, scoring 32 and 25 runs in the two innings. He bowled less than usual in the Test also, sparking a debate whether he was fully fit to play the five-day match. Selector Hannan Sarkar, who was travelling with the team had said in Chennai that Shakib was under observation after being hit on his finger by a delivery of Bumrah. He also said that the team physio would keep assessing the all-rounder in Kanpur for any issues with his fingers. 

"About Shakib Al Hasan there is no doubt at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or anyone, so he is eligible for selection," Hathurusingha added. The head coach was also unfazed by the performance of Shakib Al Hasan, who has been without any century in any format of the cricket for the last seven years. "There is no concern about his performance. I am disappointed about his performance. Overall our performance in Chennai was not to up to the mark," he opined.