Nazmul Hassan, BCB president says the board can't do anything if Shakib doesn't want to play for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan has questioned Shakib Al Hasan's commitment to the national team after his latest statement that he is mentally and physically exhausted.
The ace all-rounder stated that he isn’t in a good mental and physical state to play international cricket and doesn't want to travel to South Africa and perform below par than his abilities. Bangladesh will play three ODIs and two Tests from March 18 in South Africa.
Following his statement, Nazmul Hassan asked whether Shakib would have wanted a similar break from the upcoming IPL 2022 if he was picked in the auction.
He also said that if the ace all-rounder was in a poor physical and mental state, he would never have put his name on the IPL 2022 auction list.
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Notably, Shakib had initially refused to play in the two-match Test series against South Africa, as he wanted to play in the IPL 2022, but he went unsold at the auction. Last week, Shakib was named in Bangladesh's ODI and Test squads for the upcoming South Africa tour.
Hassan was quoted saying by ESPNCricinfo: “I think it is logical to think that if he was in a poor physical and mental state, he wouldn't have given his name in the IPL [auction]. But he went ahead with it. So, does it mean that if he got his IPL contract, he would have said the same thing?”
He added, “We can't do anything if he doesn't want to play [for Bangladesh]. But he can't keep saying I will play this game, I won't play that game. We are soft on those who we love, but they also have to be professional. Otherwise, we will have to make decisions that no one will like.”
Notably, the three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and South Africa will start on 18 March while the Test series will be starting on March 31 with the IPL 15 set to get underway on 26 March.
(With PTI Inputs)