'Shakib could play as a pure batter in second Test'- Russell Domingo

Shakib Al Hasan in action [Source: AP]

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has hinted at skipper Shakib Al Hasan playing as a pure batter in the final Test against India scheduled on December 22. 

Shakib bowled only twelve overs during India's first innings but didn't bowl a single over in the second due to a shoulder bruise. 

However, he played a belligerent knock of 84 runs in the second innings to keep the hosts alive in the competition before being undone by Kuldeep Yadav on the final day. 

In the aftermath of Bangladesh's crushing defeat, Domingo confirmed that Shakib is yet to recover from the bruise and would, therefore, play purely as a batter in the final Test. He also reverberated the necessity of an allrounder in the team. 

Here's what Domingo said in the press conference

"He could play as a batter [only]. Obviously, he didn't bowl enough overs. He is still struggling with his shoulder and [ribcage] bruising. It left us with four bowlers - a big blow for us, 

"Ebadot [Hossain] broke down [too], so we were stuck with three bowlers. It is very difficult to balance the side at the moment. I am not 100% sure if Shakib would be able to bowl. He is definitely available to play as a batter, which is an issue for us. We need an allrounder." 

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), hours after the 188-run defeat against India in the first Test, announced the squad for the second and final Test.

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed has been added to the 15-member squad as a backup to Shakib Al Hasan. 

ALSO READ: KL Rahul and Indian management still waiting for Rohit Sharma's injury update