After losing the 1st test in Chattogram, Bangladesh would aim to win the 2nd test in Mirpur, which is their favourite place to play in the country. Shakib al Hasan is the ace player of the side, but he did not bowl a single over in the 2nd innings of the last match, but there is a huge boost about his injury.
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The Indian batters played with great intent in the 2nd innings of the 1st test, where they scored 258-2 in just 61.4 overs, where Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill scored their respective centuries. Both of them took full advantage of Shakib not bowling, and the bowling unit lacked his experience.
Shakib did not bowl but was excellent with the bat in the last innings, where he played an excellent knock of 84 runs in 108 balls. It is certain that Shakib can play the match as a specialist batter as well, but the team certainly requires him to contribute with the ball as well.
Allan Donald confirms Shakib al Hasan is fit and ready to bowl
Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach Allan Donald has given a major fitness boost about Shakib al Hasan ahead of the 2nd test in Mirpur starting tomorrow. Donald has confirmed that Shakib is fit and ready to bowl in the 2nd test after not bowling in the 2nd innings of the first test as a precaution.
Shakib is facing some shoulder issues, and he has been through them in the past as well, but the current issue is not that serious that can stop him from bowling. Apart from Shakib, Taskin Ahmed is also in line to play the match after missing out on the first one. Donald confirmed that the spinners who played the 1st test will play in the 2nd test as well.
“Shakib is okay, he will bowl. He was bruised and battered in the one-day game here, but he has gone through that. He is available for selection, and available to bowl. Any selectors here? (laughs) If I am talking out of the room a little bit, it will be the same three spinners,” Allan Donald said to the reporters.
“Looking at the pitch, I think he will very much come into play.”
The availability of Shakib is a huge boost for the side as the pitch here in Mirpur has assisted the spinners in the past, and Shakib is the highest-ever wicket-taker at this venue in tests.
