Shakib and Nurul in doubt for South Africa match

Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan could be doubtful starters for Bangladesh's next match in the T20 World Cup 2021, against South Africa on November 2. Both players have been rested for the next couple of days according to the BCB, to help them recuperate from their respective injuries.

"(Nurul Hasan) Sohan will take complete rest for three days (till October 31) and will be assessed on November 1 and then the medical team will decide on his availability for the match against South Africa. Shakib will be assessed tomorrow (October 31) for his hamstring strain after 48 hours of rest," the BCB said in a press release.

During Bangladesh's match against West Indies on Friday, Shakib pulled up during the fifth over while chasing a ball. He went off the field for a little while but returned to bowl his four overs; he however struggled. Shakib later opened the innings, for the first time in international cricket, in a bid to use his physical limitations during the powerplay. He limped while taking singles.

Nurul picked up his lower midriff injury during a training session last week, before the West Indies match. He missed the game, with Liton Das keeping wickets for the first time in the tournament.

The two injuries put Bangladesh's already fraught T20 World Cup campaign into more difficulty. Shakib has been one of their leading players with both bat and ball, while Nurul has kept wickets quite safely. Replacing them with the given resources will be another major challenge, as they only have one spare batter, Shamim Hossain, in reserve.

Bangladesh have two more league games remaining in the Super 12s, with the next against South Africa followed by one against Australia on November 4. Bangladesh aren't technically out of the running yet, though their chances of making the semi-finals are very slim. Captain Mahmudullah said on Friday that they are already looking to gain only positives from the remaining matches.