The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nazmul Hassan has taken all-rounder Shakib Al Hassan’s request for withdrawal too well. On Sunday Shakib had told the board that he needed a break from International cricket for a while due to physical and mental fatigue. The request has come just days for Bangladesh is to leave for South Africa to play three ODI’s and two Tests series.
BCB chief has expressed his disappointment over this decision given, the 34-year-old had ‘promised’ that he’ll play the South Africa series. The batting all-rounder made himself available after he failed to make the cut in the IPL mega auction held in the second week of February. But days after he was named the squad for the away series, he expressed that he’s fatigued due to playing too much international cricket a break would rejuvenate him for the upcoming ICC tournaments.
According to sources, Nazmul Hassan has articulated suspicion citing if there was IPL instead of this tour, would the cricketer has taken a leave. He was irked at the eleventh-hour announcement from Shakib, whereas all the planning for the outing was done keeping him in mind.
“Would he (Shakib) have said the same thing if he was picked in the IPL? Would he have said that he is mentally exhausted? If he is not willing to play please tell us but it becomes difficult if he informs us at the last minute,”
“We made the plan for South Africa keeping him in mind and now when he says things it does hamper our planning. I don’t know what he is saying now, but his last conversation with me was in Chattogram where he said he would play, and that’s all I know,”
The star cricketer had also claimed that he felt like a passenger during the team’s home series against Afghanistan in February. He did not feel the same happiness as others when Bangladesh defeated the visitors 2-1 in ODI’s and managed to draw the T20 series.
Regarding the statement, the BCB head said, “I think he is mentally disturbed. What I feel is why won’t he enjoy playing against Afghanistan because we had beaten them and if any cricketer is not enjoying the success of his team, then it is a big problem,”
The Bangladesh tour of South Africa will commence from 18th March where the visitors will take on the Proteas in the first ODI match. The Test series will start from 31st March.
Also, Read
‘Greedy’ Steve Smith misses out on hundred on ‘dead’ pitch
