NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan will be sidelined from the ICC World Cup 2023 due to an injury to his left index finger. He sustained this injury while batting in Bangladesh's league stage match against Sri Lanka in Delhi on Monday.
Anamul Haque has been chosen to join the squad in his place, and vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will take over the leadership in Shakib's absence.
An X-ray following the game confirmed a fracture, which unfortunately ruled Shakib out of Bangladesh's final tournament match against Australia in Pune on November 11.
The team's physio, Bayjedul Islam Khan, provided further details regarding the injury.
"Shakib was struck on his left index finger early in his innings but continued to bat with supportive taping and painkillers," he said.
"He underwent an emergency X-ray in Delhi after the game which confirmed the fracture on the left PIP joint. Recovery is estimated at three to four weeks. He will leave for Bangladesh today to begin his rehab."
Shakib played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, contributing a match-winning 82 from 65 balls. His innings comprised 12 boundaries (12 fours and two sixes). Earlier in the same match, he showcased his bowling prowess, taking 2 wickets for 57 runs. This exceptional all-round performance in a tense encounter earned him the Player of the Match award.
As for Anamul, he has been a part of international cricket for over a decade, making his ODI debut in 2012. In his 45 matches, the wicketkeeper-batsman has accumulated 1258 runs, including three centuries, at an average of 29.95.
(With ANI inputs)
