Nidahas Tri - Series 2018: Courtney Walsh hoping Shakib Al Hasan will play against Sri Lanka

On Friday, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will take on each other to qualify for the final summit.

Courtney Walsh | Getty Images

Ace Bangladesh all-rounder –Shakib al Hasan has recovered from the finger injury that he picked up during the home tri-series last month, and will join the national squad in Sri Lanka for Friday’s (16 March) must-win last league encounter of the Nidahas Trophy against the hosts in Colombo.

Though it will be a huge boost for the Tigers, but the all-rounder will have a fitness test to assess his availability for today’s T20 International.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh interim head coach –Courtney Walsh is hoping to have Shakib in the must-win clash to qualify for the Tri-series final against India on 18 March.

According to a report in, Hindustan Times, Walsh told reporters at pre-match press conference, “We were hoping to have him in the beginning of the tournament and he did come over. But the injury did not allow him to play. He was always part of the set-up. It is nothing to worry about. Once Shakib is fit, we will welcome him back to the team.”

The coach further said of Test and T20I captain, “Shakib has to be assessed like other players to see if he is fit. If he passes the fitness test, then we can make an announcement. Whatever we do, we are doing the best for Bangladesh cricket. If he is fit, we will sit down and consider.”

Meanwhile, former Bangladesh coach and current Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha feel it will be hurry to include Shakib for Friday’s encounter if he is not fully fit.

Hathurusingha signed off by saying, “The only thing I can think of is if Shakib is half-fit, it’s a desperate measure. If he’s fit they really have an advantage, because he is the world’s No 1 all-rounder. It’s just fortunate for them that he has recovered before such an important game. But if he is not fit and hasn’t trained, then I would say it is desperation.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 16 Mar, 2018

    Share Via