Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe expressed confidence about Shakib Al Hasan’s ability to deliver consistently with the bat in the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan. The Sri Lankan tactician said Shakib has looked good in the nets after having consulted a specialist for his eye problem. Shakib had revealed he had ‘subtle’ issues with his left eye and it impact his vision.
Notably, Shakib had consulted a specialist in Singapore earlier in the year before he played in the Bangladesh Premier League in January. Shakib had taken a break after the ODI World Cup last year, but returned to competitive action in 2024. He also featured in a Test match against Sri Lanka in Chattogram earlier this year and scored 51 runs across two innings.
Shakib also featured in the Major League Cricket in the United States and played the Global T20 League in Canada before arriving in Pakistan for the two-Test series, starting August 21 in Rawalpindi.
“He is actually batting well. He has looked fitter. He has done some eye testing as well. He is saying that it helped him with the problem he had,” Hathurusinghe said ahead of the first Test.
Shakib has played just 2 Tests for Bangladesh over the last 18 months and the all-rounder will be keen on making a mark against Pakistan in the upcoming series. Hathurusinghe said he expects Shakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to play a key role on what is expected to be a pacer and batter-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi for the first Test.
