Shakib turns 180 degrees

Shakib Al Hasan’s saga of touring South Africa for Bangladesh’s upcoming three-match One-Day International and two-match Test series has seemingly ended as the all-rounder turned 180 degrees to decide that he will play in the tour.

On Saturday, Shakib and Bangladesh Cricket Board President briefed the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, where they said that despite the all-rounder being granted leave till April 30, the player changed his mind and will catch the flight for South Africa on Sunday.

“We, me and Papon bhai (BCB President Nazmul Hassan) with the board, have discussed many things over the last three days. We have now finalised a year-long plan. Since I’m contracted to play all three formats, I will be available for the same. The board will decide when they need to rest me, and I’m also available from this South Africa tour,” Shakib told the media on Saturday.

“Shakib is available for all the formats for the South Africa tour. He will travel to South Africa tomorrow. He wants to play. That is the most important thing,” Nazmul said.

The BCB President informed that Shakib was ready to play all three formats, but was mentally distracted, causing him trouble to make the decision.

“He (Shakib) told me the day before yesterday (Thursday) that he was a bit distracted mentally. We have all faced such a situation from time to time. That is why he was having a bit of trouble making the decision. After discussing with me and seeing our total program, he said that he wanted to play in all three formats, including South Africa.

“I still told him to think about it. He called me yesterday (Friday) to say that he really wanted to play. Still, I gave him time and told him to come to the board today (Saturday). Then we took the decision,” the BCB President said.

He added, “I want this saga to end here. Shakib wants to play all three formats, and the board has accepted that. We don’t have any problems with any players, I am asserting that.”

Shakib said that he might get into a better frame of mind once he reaches South Africa.

“Look, things cannot change in a day or two. I am in a better state now as I have a clear picture ahead of me. If I go to the natural beauty of South Africa, maybe I can get better quickly. It happens, right? Hopefully, it will, and I will be able to do well for the team,” he said.

The saga has been going on since the ODI series between Bangladesh and Afghanistan in February. It was revealed during the series that Shakib had asked for a six-month leave from Tests to play in the Indian Premier League, and BCB had approved the all-rounder leave from the Tests in South Africa.

But as Shakib stayed unsold in the IPL auction, the BCB President informed the media on February 28 that Shakib will indeed go to South Africa to play in both the formats, and he was included in the squads announced on March 3.

But on March 6, Shakib, before leaving for Dubai, said he did not feel he was mentally and physically prepared to play international cricket and asked for a break.

On March 9, BCB, despite hinting to take a hard line, granted Shakib leave from all international and domestic cricket till April 30. And the next day, Shakib was included in BCB’s central contract for all three formats, despite him playing only three Tests out of Bangladesh’s nine since his return from a one-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council, and the decision was met with criticism.

But the BCB President said that Bangladesh had a lot of matches this year, and it was only normal that they asked for rest.

“There is a lot of pressure on the veterans. We have 14 ODIs, 15 T20Is, and eight Tests this year. Playing continuously is a problem for the senior cricketers. We have to understand that. I believe that the players need rest. I have said for a long time that if someone doesn’t want to play in a series, they can say that beforehand, not when the series is knocking at the door.

“There is nothing to make a fuss about if someone opts out of a series. Players may not play for various reasons, you have to take it sportingly. This is a part of the sport,” Nazmul said.