'Two batsmen can't meet at the end of the over?' - Shakib Al Hasan questions ICC's guidelines to minimize COVID-19 risk

One of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket, Shakib Al Hasan has been away from the game and is currently serving his ban for not reporting a corrupt approach. The Bangladesh international, who has represented his national team across all three formats, is often regarded as one of the best all-rounders of the sport and his impressive record speaks for his worth.

Shakib, who has been spending the quarantine period with his wife and daughters, expressed his concern over the way in which cricket will be played in the post-coronavirus world. Even though the ICC has set guidelines for cricket in the coronavirus pandemic, Shakib raised a few questions over their execution on the field.

ICC has already released a string of protocols to be followed amid COVID-19 outbreak as teams like England and Sri Lanka have already planned return to training. However, Shakib, while reflecting on these protocols, asked a few questions to the game’s governing body.

“Now we are hearing that it [Covid-19 virus] might spread around 12 feet, not just three or six. So does it mean the two batsmen can’t meet at the end of the over?” Shakib told the Dhaka-based Prothom Alo.

Shakib Al Hasan eager to brace the field once his ban gets over

“They will stand at their ends? Won’t there be any crowd in the stadium? Will the wicketkeeper stand afar? What would happen to close-in fielders? These things require discussions,” he added.

Furthermore, Shakib opined that the ICC won’t take a chance before they are very sure and they will certainly think of the safety of players.

“I don’t think they [ICC] will take a chance before they are very sure. Whatever it is, life comes first. I am sure they will think of safety first,” he said.

Shakib also revealed that he has been itching to get back on the field once his ban gets over. He added that he is currently going through a tough patch. Even after the resumption of cricket in the near future, Shakib won’t be able to take part in it.

“I am counting days in two ways. One, when will corona be over, and the other, when will my suspension end. I am going through a tough time. Although there’s no cricket going on anywhere, I know that if it starts tomorrow, I won’t be able to play cricket.

“When you are restricted about something, whether others talk about it or not, you know yourself about what you are going through,” added Shakib.