Shakib’s absence ‘not a clear advantage’ to Windies

Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's absence will not give the West Indies a clear advantage going into the second Test in Dhaka, said the Windies head coach Phill Simmons during a virtual press meet today.

Shakib has been ruled out of the second Test, starting from February 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, due to an injury he suffered during the second day of the Chattogram Test.   

"No. It does not give us a clear advantage," said Simmons when asked if Shakib's absence will be an advantage for his side. 

Shakib suffered a strain on his left thigh while fielding on the second day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram last Thursday. The all-rounder picked up the injury when he attempted to stop a ball with his leg after Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite pushed it towards mid-on for a single in the sixth over.

Shakib, who walked out of the ground after the completion of the 17th over of the Windies' innings on the second day of the Chattogram Test, could not take further part in that match. 

Bangladesh went on to lose the Test despite dominating the game the first four days. With Shakib sitting out due to an injury, none of the other spinners -- Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and the sole pacer Mustafizur Rahman -- could prove to be posing much of a threat to the Windies batsmen. The debutante duo of Kyle Mayers and Nkrumah Bonner batted for most part of the fifth day and strung together a 216-run stand, most by two debutantes in the fourth innings in Tests. And Mayers became the first cricketer to score a double hundred in the fourth innings on Test debut to help his side chase down a mammoth 395-run target -- the highest run-chase in Asia and the fifth-highest overall. 

But Simmons thought that even though Shakib will be missing, Bangladesh still have many players who can step up in his absence.

"He [Shakib] is one of the top players, top all-rounders in the world. But they [Bangladesh] have so many spinners and batters. So they are going to find someone who can go and do the job. But, maybe not as good as Shakib but good enough for a Test match. So, we can not afford to take for granted that Shakib's not here and it will be easier," concluded Simmons.