In a recent display during the first Test against India in Chennai, Bangladesh’s veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan caught the attention of fans and commentators alike by biting down on a black strap attached to his helmet. This unusual act is part of Shakib’s innovative approach to maintaining optimal head positioning while batting, particularly as he navigates challenges stemming from an eye condition.
The Reason Behind the Strap
Shakib’s mentor, Mohammad Salahuddin, and Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, chief physician of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), explained that the strap is a self-devised mechanism aimed at preventing his head from tilting excessively while playing. This adjustment is crucial for Shakib, who has been dealing with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC), a condition that causes fluid buildup under the retina and affects vision clarity.
Dr. Chowdhury noted, “He has come up with this strap. It is completely his idea… He ties it up around his neck, and biting down on it allows him to keep his neck and head steady.” This method follows his previous use of a neck brace, which he found less effective in maintaining proper head alignment.
A Trial-and-Error Approach
Shakib’s experimentation with the strap is still in its early stages. Given his visual impairment, he has been practising extensively in the nets, incorporating shadow batting drills to determine which head position works best for him. Salahuddin remarked on Shakib’s commitment to improving his game: “I think it is good for him… When the head and neck move, the eyes also move, which is not ideal for a batter.”
Bangladesh’s batting coach, David Hemp, corroborated this, stating that he has observed Shakib using the strap during practice sessions over recent months. Hemp emphasised that Shakib feels comfortable with this new technique and believes it aids in maintaining his head position.
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Struggles and Comeback Efforts
Despite Shakib’s innovative adjustments, his performance during the Chennai Test was underwhelming; he scored 32 runs in the first innings and 25 in the second. His bowling was also less impactful than expected, raising concerns about a finger issue that emerged during the match.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto defended Shakib’s contributions, focusing on his work ethic rather than just statistics: “I look at how much hard work a player is putting into their game… More than whether he is scoring runs or not, I look at how is his preparation.”
As Bangladesh prepares for their next match against Team India in Kanpur, selectors are closely monitoring Shakib’s condition. Selector Hannan Sarkar mentioned that Shakib’s finger trouble arose only after he began bowling in Chennai but reassured fans that they would evaluate his fitness ahead of upcoming games.
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