Fahim wants Shakib to play all 3 formats

Shakib-Al-Hasan’s long-time mentor and batting advisor of Bangladesh Premier League side Fortune Barishal, Nazmul Abedin Fahim wants Shakib to continue representing Bangladesh in all three formats.

Shakib’s unwillingness to play Tests came into the headlines in 2021 when he decided to play in the IPL (for Kolkata Knight Riders) instead of playing in the Test series in Sri Lanka. It was circulated in various media outlets that Shakib would snub the Test series in South Africa to play in the IPL. But he remained unsold in the auction and is has no obstacle to play in South Africa.

Fahim, who is currently the batting advisor of Barishal, the side Shakib is playing for in the BPL, said the media on Wednesday that he wants Shakib to play all three formats but also understands that it is a tall task for a 34-year-old.

“I haven’t talked to Shakib regarding his availability in the Test series against South Africa, but I intend to. Personally, I feel he should play all three formats. But you also must consider the toll it takes on his body as he has to contribute with both bat and ball. I expect the cricket board to talk to him regarding this dilemma,” he said.

BCB President Nazmul Hassan said that all players must officially notify the board if they wish to be excluded from a particular series or a format. Shakib is yet to do so, and BCB has not yet disclosed the central contract of 2022, meaning that Shakib’s future in the longest format of the game is still up in the air.