After Shakib Al Hasan’s claim that he needs time off from international cricket and may miss the ODI series against South Africa, questioning his commitment to the national team, BCB president Nazmul Hasan asked if the former IPL captain Wanted a similar break from Selected at auction.
Shakib had initially refused to play the Test series against South Africa as he wanted to make himself available for the IPL but he did not sell in the auction.
Last week, he was named in Bangladesh’s ODI and Test squad for the tour of South Africa later this month.
However on Sunday, the veteran all-rounder said that he is feeling the burden amid regular international cricket, and that a break will help him rejuvenate.
“I think it is logical to think that if he was in poor physical and mental condition, he would not have given his name in the IPL. [auction]Hassan was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
“But he went ahead with it. So does that mean if he had got his IPL contract, he would have said the same thing? If he doesn’t want to play then we can’t do anything [for Bangladesh],
“But he cannot say that I will play this game, I will not play that game. We are soft on the people we love, but they should also be professional. Otherwise, we will have to take decisions that will not be liked by anyone.”
Shakib had said that he is mentally and physically exhausted and is not ready to play in the upcoming tour of South Africa.
“Looking at my mental and physical condition, I don’t think I can play that much international cricket. If I get a break, if I get my interest back, I can play more easily. I was like a traveler in the Afghanistan series, which is never desirable.”
Shakib, who scored 74 runs and took seven wickets in three ODIs and two T20Is against Afghanistan, said he felt like a “traveller”.
“I didn’t enjoy ODIs and T20Is. I don’t think I should be on South Africa tour with this kind of mindset. When I am playing, I want to live up to everyone’s expectations.
“There’s no guarantee of my best performance, but at least I’ll know that I’ve tried my hardest for the country. I don’t want to waste time or anyone’s space.”
The three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and South Africa begins on March 18, followed by two Test matches, starting on March 30 while the IPL begins on March 26.
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