Shakib Al Hasan Will Be Available For The First Match vs Afghanistan In ICC World Cup 2023, Confirms Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto provided an update on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the team’s first match in the ICC World Cup 2023. Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed that Shakib Al Hasan is 100 per cent fit to play against Afghanistan.

Shakib Al Hasan sustained a foot injury during a practice session ahead of the warm-up matches. The veteran all-rounder missed out on the two practice matches against Sri Lanka and England, respectively. Reports emerged that he was ruled out of the first match.

Shakib Al Hasan Is 100% Fine – Najmul Hossain Shanto

During the toss in the second warm-up match against England, Najmul Hossain Shanto opened up about Shakib Al Hasan‘s availability for their tournament’s opener against Afghanistan.

“We’ll bat first. It’s a fresh wicket. Good opportunity to bat first. (On Shakib) He is 100% fine, he’ll be available for the first match. We played some good cricket in the last game, we still need to improve. I hope everyone plays well,” Shanto said.

Bangladesh is currently taking on the Jos Buttler-led team at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Notably, Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the team in the first game, where they registered a convincing seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at the same venue.

Bangladesh To Take On Afghanistan On October 7

Shakib will be a crucial player for Bangladesh due to his exceptional all-round skills and extensive experience. The left-handed batter was the leading run-getter for his team in the 2019 World Cup, scoring 606 runs at an average of 86.57, including 2 hundreds and 5 fifties.

The Shakib Al Hasan-led team will kick off their campaign with a match against Afghanistan at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on October 7. The Bangla Tigers will be hoping to start their season on a high note with a victory.

Bangladesh’s World Cup 2023 squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

Also read: Tamim Iqbal Used Foul Language Against BCB Chief Prior To His Open Spat With Shakib Al Hasan- Report