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Bangladesh star-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who was struggling to bowl in the first Test match against India is currently under observation for the upcoming second Test match which is scheduled to take place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Bangladesh have already lost the first match by 280 runs which was played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While batting, Shakib got hit by a Jasprit Bumrah delivery and needed some treatment after his right hand finger started bleeding.
Shakib's recent performances have faced criticism regarding his contributions and whether his current form justifies his place in the team. However, selector Hannan Sarkar defended him, highlighting that Shakib's batting displayed a strong sense of application.
"Shakib is out best player. When he is in the playing eleven, it's easier for us to form the team combination," Hannan said while talking to reporters at the Bangladesh team hotel quoted the Daily star.
"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," he added.
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Hannan clarified that Shakib was pain-free before the Chennai Test, but he may have encountered issues during the match 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.
"You can't say it's an injury. The discomfort he felt in that finger was not there before the match. He felt that when he started to bowl," he said.
It remains to be seen whether Shakib will play as a batter, bowler, or all-rounder in the second Test. Hannan mentioned that it all depends on the assessment of his condition.
"Shakib is such a player that if he can't bowl, he could play as a batter. If he feels he can't bat or bowl then it's a different scenario.
"We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterwards and we will judge after that. We don't want to make a decision yet. These two days, the physio has kept him
under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio's feedback."
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