|| CF Correspondent ||

When Shakib Al Hasan returned to the Test squad against West Indies in the two-match series after recovering from a finger injury, he was not sure whether he will be available for the opening Test or not. The all-rounder had doubts regarding his fitness before deciding in the match-day morning that he would play the Test match.

Shakib picked an unexpected toe injury during the practice session at Sylhet on Sunday ahead of the T20 series-opener, where he is expected to lead the team besides providing his services as an all-rounder.

It can be considered as a coincidence that Bangladesh team management is expected to pass a similar sleepless night ahead of the three-T20I series against Windies. They seemed confident regarding the availability of Shakib but were not in a state to announce it firmly.

Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes came to the media conference as replacement of Shakib, who was expected to attend the pre-T20I series question-answer session, due to prevailing conditions and insisted that he would be surprised if the captain is not available in the opening T20I against West Indies.

“He’s fine. He got a little knock on the foot from Saifuddin, who bowled an in-swinging yorker to him… good ball actually; hit him on the toe. He is going to be fine. He is smiling and happy. He’s icing his foot at the moment. I’d be very surprised if he wakes up tomorrow and there’s any issues to be perfectly honest,” Rhodes told reporters ahead of the three-match series opener at Sylhet.