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Shakib’s fitness overshadows all concerns
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afternoon as they prepare to take on a wounded South Africa on October 24.
Bangladesh have been on the wrong side of one-sided affairs in their last three outings -- the latest being a seven-wicket loss to hosts India on Thursday -- where batting continued to remain a major headache. On top of that, the uncertainty over Shakib’s participation has added to the concerns, almost to the point that it eclipsed the rest.
It had been learned that the Bangladesh captain had sustained a Grade-1 tear on his left quadriceps during their game against New Zealand in Chennai on October 13, but it is yet to be officially stated.
Moreover, despite Shakib’s second MRI scan report having arrived the night before the India clash, the team management kept everyone in the dark over his availability till the last moment of the match.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, stand-in captain during the India fixture, informed in the post-match presentation on Thursday that Shakib was sidelined as a precautionary measure. However, it seems the vagueness of his fitness status will continue to stretch till the toss occurs on Tuesday.
A source close to Bangladesh Cricket Board, requesting anonymity, told the Daily Star yesterday, “The tear was evident in the second report as well. The nature of injury is such that it needs to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully, a clear picture will emerge on Sunday (October 22).”
The Bangladesh contingent travelled by road from Pune to Mumbai, which took about three hours. Perhaps the scenic splendour along the way will help to relieve Shakib and the troops’ mental anguish.
Will the energy of Mumbai, known for its fast-paced lifestyle and being the hub of the Bollywood film industry, induce the Tigers to play entertaining cricket across all departments and write the script in their favour?
Bangladesh can clearly take a leaf out of the Netherlands’ book, since the Dutch were able to gun down the high-flying Proteas.
However, given how Bangladesh have performed thus far in the ongoing showcase tournament, it is difficult to predict what awaits Chandika Hathurusingha and his charges as the pressure further mounts.

BNP hesitant to go for hartals, blockades
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the BNP held with like-minded parties, the latter recommended programmes like hartal.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of the Nagorik Oikya, told The Daily Star that tough programmes are such that they shake the foundation of the state machinery. “But public suffering is inevitable in that case.”
The BNP on July 29 held a sit-in at the entry points to Dhaka. But that event faced substantial obstacles from police and ruling party men.
Contacted, BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said it is difficult to say what programmes the party will announce because the nature of the movement will depend on how the government reacts to the demonstrations.
“Our movement is peaceful and it will remain that way. But we have the right to defend ourselves when we are attacked,” he said.