BCB rests Shakib Al Hasan from international cricket till April 30

Star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan has been rested by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from international cricket till April 30th. The left-hander will be missing out on their upcoming tour to South Africa which will run from March 12 to April 8. The ODI squad was expected to travel with Shakib who was named in the squad a few days ago.

Notably, Shakib had expressed his desire of taking a break from international cricket owing to ‘physical and mental fatigue’. The 34-year-old had further mentioned needing a ‘long term plan’ to be able to manage his time in the international arena.

The left-handed batter had also expressed his disappointment by saying he felt like a ‘passenger’ on Bangladesh’s recent national assignment against Afghanistan and had let himself and his team down. He could only manage 74 runs across the three ODIs and two T20Is against Afghanistan and picked up seven wickets in total.

“I don’t want to waste the time or someone’s spot,” he had said. “Playing in this way, as a passenger, it will be like betraying or cheating my team-mates and the country,” Shakib said previously, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

BCB President not happy with Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan was supposed to feature in both the ODIs and Tests against South Africa . According to BCB president Nazmul Hassan, the senior player had confirmed his availability for the Test series recently since having initially told the board of him not wanting to feature in the said series.

Commenting on the all-rounder’s constant change in his stance related to his availability for Bangladesh, nazmul  had commented that even though they are soft on their cricketers, the players have a responsibility of being professional in their commitment to the national side.

“We can’t do anything if he doesn’t want to play [for Bangladesh]. But he can’t keep saying I will play this game, I won’t play that game. We are soft on those who we love, but they also have to be professional. Otherwise we will have to take decisions that no one will like,” Nazmul Hassan had said.