Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign has taken a significant blow as their captain, Shakib Al Hasan, will be sidelined for the team’s remaining matches in the tournament and may miss the upcoming home series against New Zealand. Shakib sustained a fracture to his left index finger while batting during the match against Sri Lanka, and subsequent X-rays confirmed the injury. The recovery process is estimated to take three to four weeks, and he will begin rehabilitation in Bangladesh.
Shakib’s absence leaves a leadership void, with his deputy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, set to lead the side in their final World Cup game against Australia. This setback comes as a disappointment for Shakib, who had a subdued World Cup campaign in India, accumulating only 186 runs from seven innings at an average of 26.57. His performance in the recent victory against Sri Lanka, where he contributed 82 runs and took two wickets, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Shakib’s injury also adds a layer of complexity to Bangladesh’s World Cup journey, as they have only managed two wins out of eight games, already eliminating them from the semifinal race. However, they continue to pursue qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The 36-year-old all-rounder had been a central figure in several key moments during the tournament, including the controversial ‘timed out’ incident in Delhi and his mid-tournament return home to work on his game with his personal coach. Despite the challenges, Bangladesh will look to regroup and finish the World Cup on a positive note, aiming to set the stage for future success in international cricket.
Also, see:
How all teams can qualify for World Cup 2023 knockout stage?
