The Bangladesh Cricket Board has allowed Shakib Al Hasan to take a break from all forms of cricket till April 30, considering his mental and physical health. Following this, he will miss Bangladesh’s South Africa tour and some part of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL).
But BCB Cricket Operations chairman Jalal Younus on Wednesday informed that Shakib applied for rest from the entire South Africa tour and the board has approved it.
Jalal Younus said, “I talked to Shakib about the tour of South Africa. I called him. I want to know his plan and he said he still thinks that he is mentally and physically unfit. That’s why he wants to skip the tour of South Africa. Since Shakib doesn’t want to play now, we are giving him a break. He has been rested from all forms of cricket until April 30.”
Shakib earlier asked for the rest while leaving the country after the Afghanistan series, saying that he is not enjoying cricket at this moment as he is not in good stead physically and mentally.
Younus said Shakib will come back to Bangladesh on Thursday night after which he will discuss with BCB about his future plan.
He also said he wants to sit with the board to chalk out a plan. Let him come first and we’ll talk sort it out, added Younus.
Shakib was named in both squads for the South Africa tour last week after BCB President Nazmul Hassan claimed that the all-rounder had agreed to go for the Tests too.
However after the Afghanistan series, Shakib said, he felt he is not in the right frame of mind to play cricket and if he plays he can’t give him 100 percent. He said he doesn’t want to betray his country and his teammates.
Shakib’s comments provoked a strong response from BCB president Nazmul Hassan Paon, who questioned the all-rounder’s commitment to Bangladesh, asking whether he would have wanted a similar break from the IPL had he been picked in the auction.
Influential board director and Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon also came down heavily on Shakib to make it a habit to seek a break from tour repeatedly.
Bangladesh are scheduled to leave for South Africa on March 12. The ODIs will be played on March 18, 20 and 23, and will be followed by a two-Test series.
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