I deserve a break: Shakib

He insists on prolonging his career

While his decision to get a break from the Test cricket sparked a huge criticism, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan believed he deserved it considering the workload he had to endure all these years.

The No. 1 all-rounder in all three format of the game said the break would refresh him as he pondered of prolonging his Test career. But the critics argued Bangladesh never played much amount of Test cricket what could burn him out. The critics rather believed Shakib should break from the ODI and T20 cricket due to Bangladesh’s vulnerable position in the longer version format.

Bangladesh’s next assignment is in South Africa, a country unarguably a tougher place to visit, specially for the teams from the sub-continent. There are many who believed Shakib’s experience would have benefited the young players who definitely will face the music in South African condition.

“I have been thinking about it for quite some time. I have spoken to my family and friends ahead of this series that I was thinking in this way. I think this will help me. Since I play a lot, I can’t focus on my fitness or even try to be mentally fresh. I have been playing for 10-11 years so I think I deserve a break,” Shakib said yesterday as the country sharply divided over his break.

“In Test cricket, my role is such that I have to contribute in all four innings. If I am contributing half the time, I won’t be able to meet the team’s expectations. I think it is best to play when I know I can give my all in all four innings of a Test. It is not important to me to just play for the sake of match fees and salary. This is my job, for sure, but I started playing out of interest, passion and love for the game. If that’s not there, I don’t see the point in playing.”

 “I felt this was the right time for the break. People will have their opinion but since the decision was a collective one, I think it is the right one. It will be fruitful.”

 Shakib said he didn’t want to risk him in burning out, playing forcefully when he wants a long a career.

“I feel I want to play for a long time and to do that, I must take this break. I can play if I want but do you want me to play for 5-6 years or for another year or two,” he questioned.

“I have realised that if I go on in this manner, I won’t be able to play for more than one or two years. My goal is to play with consistency, as long as I am playing. I can play tension-free for the next five years if now I can recharge myself mentally. I think this is more important than missing one or two matches.”

Shakib basically applied for six months break from the longer version format but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted him break from only the South Africa Test series. The premier all-rounder of the country however thanked BCB to understand his condition.

“I will be taking a break of around a month if I go after the two Tests. I haven’t had such a break in the last three or four years. I thank the BCB for understanding how big a deal this is for me. They said it was a good idea after hearing me out. At the end of the day, I know my body better than anyone. I have to manage it,” he remarked, adding that he doesn’t do anything unethical and the critics should stop their mouths.

“I didn’t ask for anything unethical. I think that’s why they (BCB) accepted it and it wasn’t a lot of hard work to convince them.”

“I requested for a 6-month break and I have been allowed a break for the upcoming Tests. After the South Africa series and BPL, I will know if I want to play the two Tests against Sri Lanka, depending on my mindset at the time or if the [BCB] feels I should play.”

There was also some grab criticism as many said that Shakib didn’t rest from ODI and T20 because match in those two formats are huge than Test format. Shakib also clarified it by saying, “Resting during a Test series gives me roughly a month’s break. A break from T20s is about three days while a rest from ODIs is a week or so. I needed a longer break.”

“I don’t react to those [criticisms]. I know how much my body goes through. I am surprised when people question why I am not resting from limited overs matches or other T20s. There are really no pressures when playing those T20 matches. It seems like a holiday to me, with a bit of experience. Of course it is financially important.”

I deserve a break: Shakib

He insists on prolonging his career

While his decision to get a break from the Test cricket sparked a huge criticism, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan believed he deserved it considering the workload he had to endure all these years. The No. 1 all-rounder in all three format of the game said the break would refresh him as he pondered of prolonging his Test career. But the critics argued Bangladesh never played much amount of Test cricket what could burn him out. The critics rather believed Shakib should break from the ODI and T20 cricket due to Bangladeshs vulnerable position in the longer version format. Bangladeshs next assignment is in South Africa, a country unarguably a tougher place to visit, specially for the teams from the sub-continent. There are many who believed Shakibs experience would have benefited the young players who definitely will face the music in South African condition. I have been thinking about it for quite some time. I have spoken to my family and friends ahead of this series that I was thinking in this way. I think this will help me. Since I play a lot, I cant focus on my fitness or even try to be mentally fresh. I have been playing for 10-11 years so I think I deserve a break, Shakib said yesterday as the country sharply divided over his break. In Test cricket, my role is such that I have to contribute in all four innings. If I am contributing half the time, I wont be able to meet the teams expectations. I think it is best to play when I know I can give my all in all four innings of a Test. It is not important to me to just play for the sake of match fees and salary. This is my job, for sure, but I started playing out of interest, passion and love for the game. If thats not there, I dont see the point in playing. I felt this was the right time for the break. People will have their opinion but since the decision was a collective one, I think it is the right one. It will be fruitful. Shakib said he didnt want to risk him in burning out, playing forcefully when he wants a long a career. I feel I want to play for a long time and to do that, I must take this break. I can play if I want but do you want me to play for 5-6 years or for another year or two, he questioned. I have realised that if I go on in this manner, I wont be able to play for more than one or two years. My goal is to play with consistency, as long as I am playing. I can play tension-free for the next five years if now I can recharge myself mentally. I think this is more important than missing one or two matches. Shakib basically applied for six months break from the longer version format but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted him break from only the South Africa Test series. The premier all-rounder of the country however thanked BCB to understand his condition. I will be taking a break of around a month if I go after the two Tests. I havent had such a break in the last three or four years. I thank the BCB for understanding how big a deal this is for me. They said it was a good idea after hearing me out. At the end of the day, I know my body better than anyone. I have to manage it, he remarked, adding that he doesnt do anything unethical and the critics should stop their mouths. I didnt ask for anything unethical. I think thats why they (BCB) accepted it and it wasnt a lot of hard work to convince them. I requested for a 6-month break and I have been allowed a break for the upcoming Tests. After the South Africa series and BPL, I will know if I want to play the two Tests against Sri Lanka, depending on my mindset at the time or if the [BCB] feels I should play. There was also some grab criticism as many said that Shakib didnt rest from ODI and T20 because match in those two formats are huge than Test format. Shakib also clarified it by saying, Resting during a Test series gives me roughly a months break. A break from T20s is about three days while a rest from ODIs is a week or so. I needed a longer break. I dont react to those [criticisms]. I know how much my body goes through. I am surprised when people question why I am not resting from limited overs matches or other T20s. There are really no pressures when playing those T20 matches. It seems like a holiday to me, with a bit of experience. Of course it is financially important.