IND vs BAN first Test in Chennai: Bangladesh skipper Shanto backs struggling Shakib to regain form

Bangladesh tour of India: India vs Bangladesh first Test in Chennai: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto post-match conference at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on Sunday (September 22, 2024) threw his weight behind the struggling Shakib Al Hasan and said the country's greatest all-rounder is doing everything in his capacity to regain his form with the ball.

In the opening match against India at Chepauk, which Bangladesh lost by a huge margin of 280 runs, the 37-year-old Shakib logged his most expensive bowling figures in his Test career, leaking 129 runs in 21 overs while failing to take a single wicket across two innings.

It was the fifth time in his career that he went wicketless in a Test match after bowling at least 20 overs.

"Very brave question. Masha Allah!" the Bangladesh skipper responded when asked about a struggling Shakib's place in the Test team.

"As a captain, honestly, I look at how much hard work a player is putting into his game.

He (Shakib) is doing everything possible to get his form back," Shanto told reporters at the post-match press conference.

"Whether he is struggling enough to make a comeback (for me what is important is that) what is their intention towards the team and how much he is willing to give to the team," he said.