Shakib asks break from International cricket

Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan urged Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to give him a break from the ODI series in South Africa so that he can come back mentally and physically fresh for the Test series in the same tour.

He was included in the both Test and ODI squad of the South Africa tour even though talks were doing round that he may not play the Test series.

Shakib said he felt him like a ‘passenger’ in the recently concluded Afghanistan series in which he made 74 runs and claimed seven wickets in three ODIs and two T20Is.

“I don’t think I can play so much international cricket given my mental-physical state,” Shakib told the reporters on Sunday night before boarding the flight for Dubai where he will do a shooting for a TVC.

“If I get a break, if I get my interest back, I can play with more ease. I felt like a passenger in the Afghanistan series, which is never desirable. I didn’t enjoy the ODIs and T20Is. I don’t think I should be on the South Africa tour with such a mentality. I want to meet everyone’s expectations when I am playing. There’s no guarantee of my best performance, but at least I will know that I tried my hardest for the country. 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 teammates and the country.”

He said he informed the matter to Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younus, who would like to think about it for a couple of days, reports BSS.

“Initially I told BCB that I would be available for both of the formats but after a second thought, I think I should not do this with such a mental state. I talked to Jalal Bhai and informed him about my physical and mental state. He said he would like to think about it for two days before giving his decision,” Shakib informed.

Earlier, BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon said that before the IPL auction Shakib Al Hasan gave a letter to BCB to give him a break for six months that would see him miss the South Africa tour. However, since he remained unsold in the IPL auction, Papon expected Shakib in the South Africa tour and the allrounder complied with it.

Shakib however cleared this matter also, saying that he wants the BCB to chalk out a year-long plan for him as he just wanted to white-ball cricket considering two World Cups (T20 and ODI) in the coming two years.