Cricket

BCB rests Shakib Al Hasan from international cricket after conflicts

by
Zainab Shafiq
March 9, 2022

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has rested Shakib Al Hasan from international cricket till 30th April despite not willing to do so. The all-rounder, who had been asking for the gap, cited mental and personal well-being as the reasons to sideline himself from Bangladesh Cricket.

The left-handed batter will be missing on the upcoming series versus South Africa composing of three ODIs, and two Tests. He was named in the ODI squad BCB named a few days back, however, he has again asked to eliminate him from the national duties which have triggered the board.

It must be noted Shakib earlier showed his availability for the red-ball series versus South Africa, but later expelled himself out. BCB says they are soft with the players but it does not mean a player should misuse the advantages.

Shakib himself has expressed disappointment over his low-grade performance in recent times. He earlier stated he does not want to feel like a passenger and wants to pave way for someone who truly deserves the spot.

“I don’t want to waste the time or someone’s spot. Playing in this way, as a passenger, it will be like betraying or cheating my team-mates and the country,”

The president of the board Nazmul Hasan was not pleased with Shakib’s decision to show willingness at first, and refrain later. Nazmul has raised the question of whether he would have done the same on being picked by the IPL franchise. Moreover, the president wonders if Shakib would have developed personal and mental reasons if IPL was the case in place of the national duties.

“I think it is logical to think that if he were in a poor physical and mental state, he wouldn’t have given his name in the IPL [auction],”
“We can’t do anything if he doesn’t want to play [for Bangladesh]. But he can’t keep saying I will play this game, I won’t play that game. We are soft on those who we love, but they also have to be professional. Otherwise, we will have to make decisions that no one will like,”