Shakib’s unavailability a step back: Bashar

Bangladesh played their first-ever Test against Afghanistan in 2019, it was at home and rain washed away massive chunks of the game but still, the Tigers lost the match by 224 runs.

Almost four years later, Bangladesh will face Afghanistan once again in the longer format, and they will be without their regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan as the all-rounder is out with a right index finger injury.

And with Shakib out, Bangladesh have two problems. One, they don’t have their captain; two, they will have to compromise either the batting or bowling unit as he does both.

Expectedly, Bangladesh National Team selector Habibul Bashar said that being without Shakib is taking a step back.

“When Shakib plays, we can play an extra batter or bowler according to the conditions. Him not being here is a step back. There are very few cricketers in the world who can get into the team with either batting or bowling. We will miss both from Shakib. The others will have to take responsibility,” Bashar told the media on Thursday.

He added that the squad for the Test will be announced at the end of this month.

“(Chandika) Hathurusinghe will arrive on June 3. So, we will announce the team in the next week,” Bashar said.

In the previous Test against Afghanistan in Chattogram, the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium served up a spin-friendly pitch, which suited the Afghans’ strong spin attack.

However, this time, the Tigers are keeping things close to their heart.

“We have a clear plan. What kind of wicket we want, let that be to us. We will not disclose that before the match. We have an idea of how the Mirpur wickets can be. The wickets are being made as we want.