Bangladesh’s ODI captain, Shakib Al Hasan, expressed his confidence in returning to the playing XI for their crucial World Cup match against South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium. Shakib had a 25-minute batting session on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium after sustaining a quad tear during the match against New Zealand. Despite missing the game against India on October 19, he remains hopeful about his fitness.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai ahead of the South Africa fixture, Shakib stated, “When I practiced yesterday, I didn’t feel anything negative. I will train today, and if everything is okay, then I am fit.” He emphasized the significance of the day’s fitness test and his optimism, saying, “I haven’t done any running, and if I don’t face issues when running, then it’s all good.”
Shakib expressed regret at missing a World Cup match for the first time but highlighted the importance of ensuring his fitness for the rest of the tournament. “Those were the things we had to decide on, and till now, I am in good condition. There is no pain, and I feel physically fit,” he added.
Discussing the team’s strategy, Shakib revealed that Bangladesh had promoted Mehidy Hasan to the top-order due to his impressive performance. “When he (Mehidy) scored that hundred as an opener against Afghanistan (in the Asia Cup), we thought he should do it again in the World Cup,” Shakib explained, emphasizing the need to provide opportunities to in-form players.
Regarding South Africa’s form, Shakib acknowledged their recent success but drew inspiration from the Netherlands’ victory over them in the group stage. He emphasized the need to take one game at a time and focus on performance, saying, “What matters is who performs better on the day.”
Shakib recognized the importance of bowlers in winning matches at the Wankhede Stadium and highlighted the potential for a shift in momentum if they secure a win against South Africa.
Despite their position in the points table, Shakib maintained their dream of reaching the semi-finals, stating, “We still harbor the dream.”
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