Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has on Thursday (December 23) opened up about the bio-bubble life and how it is tough for cricketers to live in it most of the time in the COVID-19 era.
He also talked about his future in either Tests or T20Is saying that playing in all three formats is becoming impossible for him.
Shakib, who was in the bio-bubble for a long time from IPL 2021 to T20 World Cup 2021 and then the home series against Pakistan, decided to skip the upcoming Test series in New Zealand, citing family reasons – which created a bit of controversy, but the BCB eventually granted him leave.
Speaking about the bio-bubble life, the veteran all-rounder said that living in a bio-bubble was like being in jail and urged the authorities to find a new way to survive in the COVID-19 era, as he feels the bio-bubble and quarantine isn’t the best way to deal with the coronavirus.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Shakib stated: “It was like life in a jail. It is not like the players roam around a lot during a series. But when you will know it mentally that you can't go out even if you want to, that's where the problem lies. New Zealand didn't even send their U-19 team to the World Cup, thinking about mental health. Coronavirus isn't going away easily.”
He further added, “We have to find out a new way to survive this. I don't think bio-bubble and quarantine is the best way. When you can't meet your three little kids regularly, it becomes an unhealthy situation. It affects their growing up.”
Shakib further hinted that he might stop playing T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and he will soon decide on his Test future, saying it is impossible to play all formats.
The all-rounder further explained, “I know which format to give importance or preference. The time has come for me to think about Test cricket. This is the fact: whether I will play Tests or not. And, even if I do, how I will play the format. I also need to consider if I need to participate in ODIs where no points are at stake. I don't have any other option.”
He signed off by saying, “I am not saying I will retire from Tests. It might even happen that I stop playing T20Is after the 2022 T20 World Cup. I can play Tests and ODIs. But playing three formats is almost close to impossible.
Playing two Tests in 40-42 days is not fruitful. It encourages one to play selectively. I will definitely plan well with BCB and then go forward. It will be the smart thing to do. If it happens in January, I will know what I am doing for the rest of the year.”
(With ANI Inputs)
