NZ vs BAN, ICC World Cup 2023: New Zealand, Bangladesh Suffer Blows As Skippers Williamson and Shakib Leave Field Due To Injuries

NZ vs BAN, ICC World Cup 2023: Both New Zealand and Bangladesh were left with some injury concerns following their encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday (October 13).

New Zealand retained their perfect start after 8-wicket win that made it three wins in three matches in the ongoing World Cup 2023 in India. But the Kiwis, who saw their regular skipper Kane Williamson play his first match of the tournament, may have suffered another setback.

Williamson retired hurt as a precaution after the ball struck his left thumb in the 38th over of the run chase. The Blackcaps captain sustained a blow on his left thumb in Taskin Ahmed's over.

Williamson, who has missed action due to a prolonged injury, received treatment for his latest hit on the thumb on the field but decided to walk back to the pavilion. Glenn Philips came in to replace Williamson whose night ended with a score of 78.

After the game, Williamson who walked out with some protection on his thumb provided an update on his injury and said he may need to go for a scan to rule out any further damage.

"Just got a bit fat and colourful straight away so got a scan tomorrow, but hopefully it's okay. [on the knee] it's okay, glad to get through the game from a knee perspective, but from a team perspective it was great as well," Williamson said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh also saw their skipper Shakib Al Hasan leave the field with cramps. His teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto provided an update on the captain after the match.

Shakib scored 40 with the bat and bowled his 10 overs, picking up the wicket of Devon Conway. But after the game, he didn't turn up for the post-match interaction.

Shanto provided an update on Shakib in the post-match press conference and said, "Shakib has gone for a scan. After the scan, we will get to know the update that in what condition he is in."

Both New Zealand and Bangladesh will hope the issues are not serious and their skippers are fit in time for the next matches in the ongoing showpiece tournament.

Williamson and New Zealand will next face Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday (October 18), while Bangladesh, who have lost two and won one, will face hosts India at the MCA Stadium in Pune the following day on Thursday (October 19).