There had been uncertainty regarding Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the second Test between India and Bangladesh starting on Friday. However, head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe put those doubts to rest, confirming that Shakib is "eligible for selection."
Shakib attended Bangladesh’s training session in Kanpur on Wednesday, though his participation was brief. His performance in the first Test in Chennai was below his usual standard, as he didn’t bowl until the 53rd over of India's first innings and conceded runs at an unusually high rate. During the broadcast, there were suggestions that Shakib might have been dealing with a finger injury, but batting coach David Hemp stated he was unaware of any such issue, and Hathurusinghe echoed the same sentiment in Kanpur.
"I haven’t heard anything official or received any complaints regarding Shakib," Hathurusinghe remarked. "There’s no question about his availability for selection at this moment. Neither my physio nor anyone else has raised any concerns."
Shakib’s bowling figures from the Chennai Test were 0 for 50 in eight overs and 0 for 79 in 13 overs, while he contributed 32 and 25 with the bat during Bangladesh’s 280-run defeat. When asked if Shakib’s performance was a disappointment, Hathurusinghe responded, "I'm not disappointed with his individual performance, but rather with the team’s overall display. Shakib knows he can perform better. His second-innings batting was solid, but the quality of the opposition made it difficult."
Bangladesh, trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, will need an improved batting effort, especially in the first innings. Hathurusinghe expressed optimism that conditions in Kanpur might be more favorable, with the pitch likely to be less challenging than in Chennai.
The coach also mentioned that the players had acknowledged their areas for improvement and accentuated the importance of capitalising on starts. "We have our KPIs, and the goal is to convert starts into big scores. Some players faced around 30 balls before getting out, and that's something we need to improve. India poses different challenges, so we need to be better for longer periods."
In Chennai, India's pace attack dismantled Bangladesh's left-hand-dominant top order. Bangladesh could consider bringing in right-hander Mahmudul Hasan Joy, though Hathurusinghe noted that any decision to make changes would be based on the overall balance of the team, not just left- or right-hand batting considerations.
"If we make a change, it won’t solely be due to left-handers or right-handers. It’ll be about what that player, whether it's Mahmudul Joy or someone else, can bring to the team and who would miss out. We look at it holistically rather than focusing on left or right-handers," he explained.