India vs Bangladesh, World Cup 2023: Will Shakib Al-Hasan play today?

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There is a growing fear among Bangladesh media and fans alike that the current Bangladesh team is incapable of grinding out a positive result, especially when their opponent is as formidable as India, who are playing at their den at the MCA International Stadium in Pune on Thursday (October 19).

Shakib Al-Hassan got injured while fielding during their last match against New Zealand, which the Black Caps won by a margin of eight wickets and 43 balls to spare. The Bangla Tigers in fact lost their game prior to it as well to England, who thrash them by 137 runs.

This makes a favourable result against India imperative if the side wishes to make it to the top four, who will qualify for the semifinals. And if the fans are to be believed that won't be possible with their star all-rounder, who bowled his full quota of 10 overs in the last game but could be seen in a lot of discomfort.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha gave important updates on the eve of the match. The Sri Lankan revealed that the team management isn't sure yet on Shakib Al-Hasan's availability but did bat in the practice session.

If he is not ready to play, we won't risk him. But if he's ready, then there's a chance of him playing tomorrow," Hathurusingha said. "He had a good batting session yesterday and did a little bit of running between the wickets. We did a scan today, so we are waiting for the results. At the moment he is okay. We haven't tried bowling yet. So, he will come tomorrow morning and we will assess him again and then make a decision."

The fear of the fans of Bangladesh featuring without Shakib is not unwanted as the top-order has failed to show up at the ICC World Cup 2023 yet the southpaw scored 40 in the last game while Mushfiqur Rahim scored a crucial half-century in the lower middle-order. And with the Pune wicket offering runs, the veteran pair's services will be needed once again.

"We haven't put up complete batting performance, or to that matter, complete performance with the ball and bat so far. So, we are expected to do as a complete performance. And we know that when we play as a team and we perform to our capabilities and we have beat big teams," said Hathurusingha.