Shakib’s under-bowling shrouded in mystery

The issue surrounding Bangladesh's premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan bowling just 21 overs against India in the ongoing Test match in Chennai, where the visitors put in hard shifts with the ball over three days, was highlighted by former India spinner Murali Karthik today.

During his commentary with Star Sports, Karthik mentioned a conversation with Shakib about bowling less than usual, noting the veteran had undergone surgery and that his bowling finger "is swollen, it is rigid, there's no movement, no suppleness to it. So, he feels he is not getting any feeling out of it."

Shakib's surgery, which was on his left little finger, took place after he returned from the 2018 Asia Cup with an injury.

Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury informed that Shakib had not complained about any finger issues.

"He had an earlier injury during the Asia Cup [2018]. He later suffered another injury to his index finger in India during the World Cup and had to rest for a month. But he has not complained about his finger to us," Debashish told The Daily Star on Saturday.

"Of course, he has not undergone another surgery, but there was one during that Asia Cup [2018].

"He did not need operative management after the injury in Delhi [2023 ODI World Cup]. It may be that this time he is feeling some discomfort, but he didn't complain about his finger. As we know, if a finger is fractured, it is never the same again.

"He is managing through the injury, and that doesn't mean there is no discomfort now; but there could be," Debashish added.

Batting coach David Hemp, who came to the press conference later in the day, said the team management were not aware of it. "I am not aware of that. I can't add anything to it," he clarified again when asked later.

Shakib bowled a significant number of overs for Surrey in an English county match from 9-12 September, grabbing nine wickets in two innings. It sparks curiosity that Shakib has bowled so little in Chennai, but it could be a tactical decision as he went wicketless.

BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu was also unaware of any developments regarding finger issues.

"What I know is that all players are available for selection, and that update was given to us before the Test series. Before team selection, if someone is not available or in doubt, there is a physio report. We should also not be judging by third-party reports and should trust our own people," Lipu told The Daily Star on Saturday.

If the team management, selectors, and medical department have not heard of any injuries, then something is lost in translation regarding the surgery or Shakib having no feeling in his finger.

BCB team media manager Rabeed Imam claimed to members of the media that the all-rounder is "hundred percent fit. So no issues."

But when a player has not complained to team management or doctors, a player of Shakib's profile under-bowling becomes puzzling.

One team management source hinted that information will be sought on what the issue is, but it may just remain out of the media's knowledge. "We will all find out what the issue was," he said.