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Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe lamented the absence of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the team's final World Cup 2023 clash against Australia. Shakib's participation was ruled out due to a fractured left index finger sustained during the victorious encounter against Sri Lanka. In that match, despite the injury, Shakib showcased immense grit by contributing significantly with the bat, amassing 82 runs off 65 balls and earning the Player of the Match accolade.
A subsequent X-ray revealed a fracture in Shakib's left PIP joint, forcing him to miss the crucial final scheduled for November 11 at the MCA International Stadium in Pune. The seasoned all-rounder is anticipated to undergo a three to four-week recovery period and has returned to Dhaka to initiate rehabilitation.
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Despite a relatively subdued World Cup performance, where Shakib accumulated 186 runs and secured nine wickets across seven matches, his absence is deeply felt. Coach Hathurusinghe, addressing the media ahead of the Australia encounter, emphasized the significant void left by Shakib's departure. He described Shakib as the equivalent of two players in one, acknowledging his prowess as the number one all-rounder.
Expressing the team's dependency on Shakib, Hathurusinghe highlighted the challenge of filling the vacuum left by the multifaceted player. While the coach expressed confidence in finding a replacement for Shakib's bowling role, he acknowledged the irreplaceability of Shakib's batting prowess and leadership on the field.
"Yes, always safe. We actually spoiled. We had him for a long, long time, and I mean when you have someone like Shakib calibre, number one all-rounder, it's two players in one, so it's hard to do much with the combination. So, we will definitely want to fill his bowling vacuum with another spinner or a fast bowler. It's batting we're going to miss and his leadership. So, it's hard," remarked Hathurusinghe at the press conference.
As Bangladesh prepares to face Australia in the final showdown, the team confronts the challenge of compensating for Shakib's absence, particularly in the crucial facets of batting and leadership that he so capably provided throughout his illustrious career.
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