IND vs BAN: Will Shakib Al Hasan play in second Test vs India? Head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe responds

IND vs BAN? Will Shakib Al Hasan play in the second Test match against India in Kanpur? Bangladesh head coach has played down the reported injury concerns regarding the veteran all-rounder, and said that he is available for selection.

After India's 280-run win in the first Test in Chennai, reports had emerged that the 37-year-old all-rounder was uncertain for the second Test because of a finger injury he suffered while facing India pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

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Shakib bowled eight overs in the first innings, and 13 in the second innings. His economy rate was higher than six on both the occasions as the India batters took the aggressive route against him.

"At the moment, I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He is still eligible for selection," Hathurusinghe said after the team's first training session in Kanpur on Wednesday (September 5).

The coach praised Shakib for putting up a great fight against the quality Indian attack in the second innings, in which he scored 25 off 56 balls. In the first innings, he was the top-scorer for the visitors, adding 32 off and 64 balls.

However, Shakib's form, of late, has not been great. He did not score heavily in Pakistan where Bangladesh cherished a historic Test series win. He could only manage 15, 2 and 21 not out during his three outings. Even in the preceding first-class and T20 matches against different opponents, his score read 12, 0, 36, 4, 1, 24, 2.

However, Hathurusinghe said he was not overtly concerned about Shakib's performance with the bat. "I am not upset about his performance. Our overall performance, we could have done better. I am sure that he also thinks that he can perform better. We all know what he is capable of. "He batted really well in the second innings. He couldn't go on, not because of lack of pride. It's the sheer quality of the opposition," he said, backing the star player.

Hathurusinghe also reiterated that the visitors are not worried about their security despite the political upheaval and resultant violence back home that has been criticised in India. "We have no concern about the security. We trust that the Indian board is looking after that."

(With Input From PTI)