Shakib Takes Batting Preparation Before Durdanto Game

Rangpur Riders all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is leaving no stone unturned to get back his batting form as he had an extended individual session in the morning ahead of their game against Durdanto Dhaka at Sylhet on Saturday.

Shakib batted at ground number two against a thrower while former national left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who is also part of Riders management group, while of Comilla Victorians cricketer who came to have a net session also bowled against him.

Shakib, who often bats at the top of the order and also played at number three in Rangpur’s first game against Fortune Barishal, surprisingly came to bat at the lower down the order against Khulna although they were in all sorts of trouble while chasing 161 runs.

It was only the second time in BPL history that Shakib batted at that position. The only other time it happened was back in 2016 during a game between Dhaka Dynamites and Rajshahi Kings.

Shakib, who joined Rangpur on Thursday night after coming from Singapore, has recently been diagnosed with a retinal condition in his left eye and this revelation came after the player reported visual function concerns. Due to this condition, the all-rounder has been struggling to bat since the last ICC World Cup in India and he has already visited several doctors in India, Bangladesh, USA, UK and Singapore.

On Friday, Shakib was economical with his bowling as he finished with 0-21 in his four overs despite his having a hectic schedule in the last five days for his eye treatment in Singapore.

However, when he came down to bat, he was seen still struggling with his vision and was finally dismissed by Dasun Shanaka after making two off four deliveries.

Rangpur head coach Sohel said that if Shakib gets a few practice sessions, he will be back to his old shape with the bat soon and they are ready to give him time for this.

“No, he didn’t tell us regarding any problem. He is just trying to take extra preparation and wanting to be in good shape soon,” Sohel said after their team’s 28-run loss to Khulna Tigers.

“I think he needs time to get settled. I think if he completes a few sessions, he will be back in normal shape. We have to give him time for this,” he added.

Riders, who won one game from three matches, will take on Durdanto Dhaka in the second game of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League., country’s lone franchise-based T20 tournament, in the second game at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.