In order to manage his workload, Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan may take a break for six months from Test cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is awaiting an official letter from the venerable cricketer before they take an official call on his appeal.
According to Cricbuzz, the BCB have confirmed about Shakib’s wish to take a sabbatical while still continuing to play in limited-overs format for Bangladesh.
The senior cricketer’s wish has put the country’s cricket board in a dilemma, as the selectors are supposed to announce the Bangladesh squad for a two-match Test series in South Africa soon.
Former cricketer and the chairman of BCB’s cricket operations team Akram Khan said, “We will take a decision once he submits the official letter. We just heard about such a thing but there is nothing official about it.”
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While the BCB president Nazmul Hasan held meetings with higher officials of the board on Saturday over the development, Shakib is expected to submit his letter on Sunday. Shakib is said to have mentioned about his wish to take a sabbatical to the BCB chief on Thursday, in a discussion during which he also cited fatigue and the need to reinvigorate himself.
{{/usCountry}}While the BCB president Nazmul Hasan held meetings with higher officials of the board on Saturday over the development, Shakib is expected to submit his letter on Sunday. Shakib is said to have mentioned about his wish to take a sabbatical to the BCB chief on Thursday, in a discussion during which he also cited fatigue and the need to reinvigorate himself.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin hopes to have Shakib featuring in the squad set to play No 2 ranked South Africa in an away series. “I think he will be part of the Test squad. We can only think of a replacement when we get an official letter from him. Until that arrives, we can always feel he is part of the Test squad,” Minhajul said.
Apart from the Test series in South Africa, Shakib may also miss the home series against Sri Lanka in December-January if the BCB allows him to go as per his wish.