Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: There has been a lot of drama over Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan’s injury, which he sustained during the tri-nation ODI series in January this year, as the all-rounder said he felt only 20 or 30 percent fit to play during an interview with The Daily Star.
The all-rounder had said he was still experiencing problems in his left little finger with just 10 days to go for the Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka on September 15.
Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes however felt confident the ace-all rounder is more than ’20 or 30 percent fit’.
“I don’t believe he is 20 or 30 percent fit, I think he is a lot fitter than that. That sort of statement has hit the headlines but I’m sure he is a lot fitter,” Rhodes said confidently while speaking to reporters in a press conference with captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza in attendance.
The Asia Cup is a big tournament and Shakib is the Tigers’ key player and gives the side the boost it needs in key moments. Rhodes was of the opinion that Shakib was in the same state as he was during the West Indies tour. The all-rounder played key innings in the ODI series and with the ball he was effective.
“He is in no more different state than when he played in the West Indies and he played some fantastic cricket with bat, ball and in the field as well.”
Shakib had said on September 5 that he still had pain in his hand and Rhodes said that while surgery was needed, the Asia Cup is too important a tournament for Shakib to sit out.
“He does need an operation and everybody knows that. He has made that decision after speaking to the president.
Shakib averaged 63.3 with the bat in the ODI series and the coach was banking on the idea that Shakib at 60 or 70 percent fitness, still has a lot of cricket in him.
“The Asia Cup is very important to Bangladesh. He is going to go into that tournament. He is not fully fit but if he plays anything like he did in the Caribbean then that would be a massive asset for Bangladesh.
“Even if Shakib is 70 or 60 percent fit, then you would get a lot of cricket out of him,” the coach said.
Shakib had earlier revealed that he had taken injections to reduce the pain throughout the tour of West Indies last month and also expressed a desire to undergo surgery before the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan had asked Shakib to reconsider and schedule a surgery after the Asia Cup and before the home series against Zimbabwe in October, presumably because it is a lower-profile and less demanding assignment.
Captain Mashrafe said that the decision to play was Shakib’s alone and the cricketer will have to give hundred percent when he plays.
“The decision was Shakib’s. No one was involved there. Once he makes that decision, there is no room for excuses. When he plays he has to make sure to give hundred percent.”
Bangladesh today completed their final session of the training camp before Asia cup. Shakib, who is currently in USA, will join Tigers directly in Dubai for the Asia Cup.
