In a surprising turn of events during the Rangpur-Dhaka match on Saturday, Bangladesh and Rangpur Riders’ all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan opted not to bat in his team’s triumphant 79-run victory against Durdanto Dhaka.
Babar Azam played a crucial role in the innings, scoring an impressive 62 off 46 deliveries, with Azmatullah Omarzai contributing a quickfire 32 off 15, guiding Rangpur to a total of 183 for 8. Post-match, a team insider revealed that Shakib’s absence from batting was a strategic decision, as his innings was deemed unnecessary for the game’s outcome.
The decision raised eyebrows, particularly considering Shakib’s extensive net session the day before, where he spent over an hour batting. It’s worth noting that Shakib has been grappling with an eye problem since the World Cup, impacting his batting performance. Responding to queries about the added pressure on him due to Shakib not batting, Babar Azam dismissed concerns, affirming Shakib’s fitness and expressing anticipation for his future impactful innings.
In the previous game against Khulna Tigers, Shakib had occupied the eighth batting position, showcasing his versatility. Despite not contributing with the bat in this match, Shakib has consistently delivered with the ball, securing three wickets in all three appearances in the current BPL season.
On the other hand, Dhaka pacer Taskin did not participate in batting during Dhaka’s innings after the fall of the ninth wicket. Taskin, who had bowled just two overs during Rangpur’s innings, was sidelined due to stiffness in his back. Shoriful Islam of Dhaka disclosed that Taskin chose not to risk aggravating his back condition, considering the upcoming matches. Taskin had been managing a shoulder injury since 2022, and the recent flare-up during the World Cup had forced him to miss the home Tests against New Zealand and the subsequent white-ball tour in New Zealand.
