Shakib playing just ‘as a batter’ creates issue for Tigers

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said he was not certain captain Shakib Al Hasan will be able to bowl if he plays the next game and relayed that this was an issue since it affects the team's balance going into the second Test at Dhaka. Domingo said that the team needed an all-rounder to balance the side.

Bangladesh lost the first Test on day five at Chattogram by 188 runs to give India a 1-0 lead. Shakib's injury scenario saw him being played as a batter who may be able to bowl a few overs. But Shakib did not bowl in the second innings and with Ebadot Hossain also facing injury issues, Tigers were left with just three specialist bowlers.

"I am not a hundred percent sure whether he will be available to bowl. He's definitely able to play as a batter which is an issue for us since we need an all-rounder. So at the moment he will need to be assessed in a day or two but at the moment fit to play as a batter," Domingo said at press conference today following the defeat.

Asked if Shakib will play just as a batter in the second Test, he said: "He's got one of our best records and got 80 in the second innings and he's the captain of the side. So as an all-rounder when you are not bowling well, you are still worth your money with the bat and vice-versa. He's worth his money with the bat"

Domingo also expressed disappointment with the batting effort in the first innings. Tigers were bowled out for just 150 in a wicket with plenty of runs.

"One is to compete," he said about the expectations he had regarding the first Test.

"We know India are a good side but once again one really bad session with the bat has destroyed our chances in this Test match. In know 400 is a good score but it's manageable in Chittagong. There is no way we should be bowled out for 150 in the first innings and that's what's lost us the game. Some really poor decision with the batters and that's the most disappointing thing for me.

He was also worried of the lack of confidence from the top-order.

"There is obviously a lack of confidence in the top-order there is no doubt about that. A young player who hasn't played a Test before with us and he is confident at the moment and come in and shown us how to do it, playing really well. He has obviously come in to the Test match from the A side and also domestic performances. The rest of the guys obviously confidence is pretty low at the moment and not managing to find a way out of the slump at the moment.

"There is a whole host of players at the top five or six at the moment who haven't performed as well as I would have hope and haven't been consistent and that's disappointing," he concluded.