World Cup 2023: Huge blow for Bangladesh if Shakib Al Hasan doesn’t play against India, says Aaron Finch

Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch said that Bangladesh would be massively jolted if Shakib Al Hasan doesn’t end up playing in Bangladesh’s upcoming World Cup 2023 match against India on Thursday, October 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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Shakib sustained a quad injury when the Tigers faced New Zealand at the Chepauk. Ahead of the match against India, the all-rounder returned to the nets, but head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that Bangladesh would be careful with Shakib’s return.

“Yeah, that would be a huge blow (Shakib injury) if he's not in their side, because the experience, the captaincy, that goes without saying,” Finch told Star Sports.

The 36-year-old Finch said that Bangladesh have the potential to beat India if their players put forth their A-game.

“What do they need to do? Well, they need to do everything exceptionally well and for somebody to have an absolute day out. I think with either bat or ball. They've got the skill there; I think that with their batting line up, there's just been a little bit too much shuffling around,” he stated.

“I'd like to see their best players get right up to the top. Really stack the high middle order there and let them take the pressure, because you might get a better result than what we've seen so far at this time,” Finch added.

In the World Cup, India have a 3-1 lead over the Tigers. Back in 2007, after their historic win at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Bangladesh lost to India in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

However, the Tigers can draw confidence from their 2-1 series win at home last home against a full-strength Indian team. Bangladesh have lost two out of three matches in World Cup 2023 while India are on a three-match winning streak.