Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
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Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan was not in favour of the proposed operation taking place during the tournament.
Shakib Al Hasan sustained a finger injury in the January tri-series final against Sri Lanka, and after missing a subsequent T20I and Test series against the Sri Lankans, he bounced back and rejoined his side for the Nidahas Trophy in March.
Having helped his nation to ODI and T20I series victories after a bitterly disappointing Test campaign as captain against West Indies, he has announced that his finger requires surgery, and that he might go under the knife prior to the imminent Asia Cup, which kicks off on 15 September.
“I have to do a surgery. So the discussion now is about when to do it. I want it to happen as soon as possible. It will most probably be before the Asia Cup,” Al Hasan said.
BCB President Nazmul Hasan was certainly not in favour of this arrangement, preferring Al Hasan to miss the Zimbabwe series which takes place in October.
‘’Shakib called me and informed me that he needed an operation. The head coach also called me and mentioned that it is necessary because he is not getting the strength that is required for batting. If that is the case, he will go for a six-week break,’’ Nazmul told reporters on Thursday.
‘’It is difficult to get such a long break. First, we planned whether we can do it in-between a series, but as that is not the case, he needs to skip a tournament or a series. But, we cannot think of playing without him,’’ Nazmul said. “He can be operated on before the Asia Cup or after the Asia Cup or during the series against Zimbabwe.”
The BCB President revealed that Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes was also behind this proposition, as he needs his key players in order to make a mark in the tournament. Al Hasan is the number one ranked all-rounder in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Player Rankings, so his inclusion is paramount should they wish to pose a challenge against some of the world’s best limited-over outfits.
‘’Today, during our meeting with the coach, he insisted that it should be completed during the Asia Cup. We suggested that it would be better if we operate him during the series against Zimbabwe as we can also take the opportunity to try out a few new faces during that time,’’ Nazmul said. ‘’I think that will be the best thing to do. The Asia Cup is expected to be a tough tournament and during that time, if a player of Shakib’s stature doesn’t play, chances are high that the morale of the team might go down.”
“I will talk with Shakib today or tomorrow regarding this. But, I prefer if it is done at some other time ‘’ Nazmul added.
The Asia Cup is being staged in the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh will play
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Pool B.
