|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh interim head coach Khaled Mahmud believes Shakib’s absence will affect Bangladesh team’s combination in the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib won’t be participating in the Sri Lanka series. He is going to perform the ‘Holy Hajj’ at this time.

“Obviously, Shakib is Shakib. He is the number one all-rounder in the World. so, when he is not playing it affects our team balance,” said Sujon at Mirpur.

Shakib Al Hasan has been phenomenal in the World cup. He has scored 606 runs in this World Cup with an average of 86.57 along with two centuries and five half-centuries.  Shakib is the third-highest run-getter of this World cup. He has also been successful with the ball in his hand as he picked up 11 wickets in eight matches. He became the only player in the history of World Cup with 600+ runs and 10+ wickets in a single edition of World Cup.

If Shakib doesn’t play, his position needs to be filled by two players every time. Because BCB hasn’t found any all-rounder of Shakib’s caliber yet. 

As Shakib is out of the squad, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is called up to the squad to fill up the void of the left-arm spinner. Sujon believes it’s an opportunity for Taijul to prove himself in the ODI format as he has been called up in the ODI squad after three years.   

 “If I talk about Taijul, he doesn’t get much chance to play in the ODI format. He is in great form in India. He has played for Bangladesh A. took 14 wickets. Actually, it’s a big opportunity for him. Here, many of them can get the opportunity,” added Mahmud/