Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan sprang a surprise on Saturday stating that he would be available for the forthcoming series against South Africa despite the BCB permitted him a leave until April 30 from all forms of cricket.
‘I have been in a conversation with Papon Bhai [Nazmul Hasan] since the last three days where we could initiate our year-long plan. Since I have been roped in the three formats of cricket in the national contract, I will be available in all formats,’ Shakib told reporters on Saturday.
‘The board must decide when they will permit me to leave and that will start from the South Africa series therefore I will be available in the upcoming series.’
The ace all-rounder, who had a meeting with BCB president on Saturday, additionally informed that he will leave Dhaka for South Africa on Sunday night.
‘I will leave on tomorrow night for South Africa.’
Earlier on Thursday, BCB handed Shakib a break from all forms of cricket till April 30 as the all-rounder claimed that he was too exhausted to feature in Bangladesh’s forthcoming one-day international and Test series against South Africa.
However the BCB chief believes that having a hectic year ahead the players must need an interval for the betterment of cricket.
‘We sat with Shakib with our total plan. Bangladesh is scheduled to play fourteen ODIs, fifteen T20Is and eight Test matches and we need to understand that these are onerous to them the reason why I told them that they need a break occasionally,’ said Nazmul.
‘Since Shakib has told us that he is feeling mentally disturbed, we should be giving him our support. All the talk shows and discussions speculating about it are not good in that context. We have to stand beside someone when they are suffering mentally or physically. Do not speculate because that causes more problems.’
