Former captains divide over Shakibs issue
Sports Reporter
Former Bangladesh captains sharply divided over Shakib Al Hasans six-month break from Test cricket ahead of the important away series against the top-ranked South Africa.
Seeking a six-month vacation from Test, Bangladesh iconic all-rounder Shakib sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday, just one day after the conclusion of the home series against the Australia due to his fatigueness.
In that aspect, the board took a speedy decision and announced Tigers squad for the upcoming Test series against the Proteas without Shakib Al Hasan.
Since then, a huge criticism has been raised from all the fronts after the announcement of the Bangladeshs Test squad for the South Africa Test series.
Ex-captain Shafiq-ul-Haq Heera among others thinks that Shakib should not take such a break prior to the important series, stating that he should tour with the team in South Africa.
Shakib is one of the key players of our team. Weve not needed to take an extra spinner if he plays and can play an extra batsman. Even he has ample experience to play at overseas condition and can play better brand of cricket what he proved again and again. He slammed his Test-best performance against New Zealand on bouncy wicket, Shafiq-ul-Haq said.
South Africa is a strong opponent. They have a good number of quality batsmen and bowlers. Even they are fantastic in fielding. The Proteas were beaten by us. This time they will seek to take their revenge against us, Heera told The Independent over mobile phone.
Weve been playing better cricket in Test beside 50-over games since the last few years. We should attempt to continue it in Africa also though it would be tough and challenging for us as South Africa are very strong side at their home condition. Therefore, we could set our target to at least draw the series. And thus, I think, he should not take break at this moment, he added.
According to Heera, Shakibs experience in the tougher condition of South Africa could be helpful for the young players.
It has been trend of the current period, whereby some players are taking the early retirement from longer version cricket to play only one-day and Twenty20 cricket.
Citing the instance of some more players of
West Indies, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa, Heera said that Shakib might think to take their pathway to prolong his career in shorter version cricket.
Still Shakib can serve so many years for Bangladesh. He has many things to give the country. So, he should not take the passageway what some players across the world adopted, the wicketkeeper-captain thought.
On the other hand, ex-captains Akram Khan and Minhajul Abedin Nannu differed with Heeras views. Both Akram and Nannu said that Shakib could take rest as he has been playing all the three formats of games at home and abroad simultaneously.
When a player plays different formats of games at home and abroad one after another, he needs some rests. Thats not a matter that should spark criticism, said Akra Khan. He has been playing everywhere across the world. But he didnt get long rest in that sense. For this he seeks break. We granted him the vacation for two Tests. Were hopeful that hell soon join the team. He is our key player, Minhajul Abedin told.
