Similar results on field, but different approach off it
Even though not much has changed results-wise for Bangladesh in the World Cup, the one thing that certainly has been different in this edition of the mega event in India is the Bangladesh team management's way of interacting with the media.
Bangladesh managed only one win in four matches so far, that too against a lower-ranked Afghanistan in their World Cup opener. Since then, it has been a familiar sombre ride for the Tigers in the mega event as they suffered three convincing defeats on the trot.
While the players have not been able to produce something new and different on the field, the team management, interestingly, took up the mantle as it has been maintaining some sort of secrecy when it comes to providing injury updates of the players to the media officially.
None of the members of the team faced the media yesterday in Mumbai, where the Tigers will play an in-form South Africa next.
It was learned that this move of avoiding the media is the team management's way of protecting the players from outside noise, helping them to focus solely on their game as the management believes that there is a chance of spreading misinformation if the players or the coaching staff address the media every now and then.
After a couple of days' rest, the Bangladesh team started training at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday, and once again, all eyes were on skipper Shakib Al Hasan who is recovering from a thigh injury. It was learned that Shakib has a Grade-1 tear, however, the team management is yet to reveal his actual injury status.
Although the Bangladesh team were scheduled to start training from 2:00pm, the Tigers arrived at the iconic venue an hour early without their head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who, according to sources, is suffering from food poisoning.
Shakib, who sat out the previous game against India, was seen in a jolly mood yesterday. He took part in a footvolley session before he went to bat in the nets. The 36-year-old batted for around 35 minutes and faced both spinners and pacers without much discomfort as Shakib was mostly focused on middling the ball.
After completing the net session, Shakib went for a break before returning again to knock some throwdowns for another 15 minutes on the other side of the nets.
Unlike the team management's vagueness regarding his injury status, Shakib's pattern of training was pretty similar to what he had done before the game against India. Like that time, the champion all-rounder did not bowl in the nets and also did not take part in the high-intensity running session.
"We are not willing to rush regarding Shakib. We are going with the conventional approach and observing his progress gradually. He is yet to do high-intensity running. You can't say when the pain will resurface if the recovery process is not done properly. We are hoping he would be able to start high-intensity training soon and we are looking forward to having him back in the team," said a member of the Bangladesh team management, requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, another injured pacer Taskin Ahmed was also seen undergoing his recovery process after having missed out the previous game against India due to shoulder pain.
Much like Shakib's case, no official statement has been made regarding Taskin's injury. However, it was learned that the 28-year-old has played the first three games of the World Cup by managing his shoulder pain.
Taskin did not bowl in the training session yesterday and was constantly monitored by the team physio during the drill sessions. It is still not confirmed whether the pacer will be able to recover and feature against South Africa on Tuesday.