SA vs BAN: Shakib Al Hasan to fly back home after ODI series due to family reasons

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to return home from South Africa after the ongoing ODI series as his family members have fallen ill. Shakib’s second daughter Eyzah Al Hasan, alongside his youngest son, Errum Hasan, have all been hit with Pneumonia and are admitted in hospital. Also, Shakib’s mother, Shirin Reza, has also been admitted to the hospital due to a heart infection.

Shakib’s all-round brilliance helped his side to victory in the first ODI against South Africa and set up the series well. The 34-year-old played a stupendous knock in the first ODI, scoring 77 off just 64 deliveries, and hit seven fours and three sixes in his match-winning innings. The left-hander opened the bowling for the visitors and conceded just 54 runs in his ten-over spell in a high scoring game.

Earlier, the BCB had been waiting for Shakib’s confirmation of his availability for the Tests due to concerns over his family member’s health.

”We are in constant touch with him. He might miss the Test series if situation is such, but we must remember that he is going through a crisis and we need to back him,” a Bangladesh Cricket Board official was quoted by Cricbuzz.

However, Bangladesh’s technical director Khaled Mahmud has confirmed that Shakib will play the final ODI of the series. “A number of his family members are sick so he is in hesitation,” Mahmud said, from Centurion. “He is speaking to his family about whether he needs to return to Dhaka. We have had to book a few tickets for him in the last few days. We booked a ticket today as well, because he was supposed to leave today.

South Africa come back strong in the second ODI

Meanwhile, after a dismal performance in the first ODI, South Africa staged a brilliant comeback in the second ODI to level the series 1-1.

Kagiso Rabada ‘s five-wicket haul, combined with half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Kyle Verreyne, did the trick for the home side as they thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets to level the series. The third and final ODI is set to be held on March 23 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion as both teams will have their eye to win the series.