Shakib Al Hasan, a veteran Bangladesh all-rounder, responded on Friday to former India cricketer Virender Sehwag's criticism after leading the Asian team to a 25-run victory over the Netherlands at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown in St Vincent in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Shakib hit an undefeated 46-ball 64 to help Bangladesh advance from Group D to the Super Eight round of the T2O World Cup.
The 37-year-old made a disappointing start to the T20 World Cup. He failed to take wickets in matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa, scoring only eight and three runs, respectively.
Sehwag slammed the veteran player, saying Shakib should be embarrassed by his performance and quit the sport.
“You are such an experienced player, you have been captain before, but your stats are such. You should feel ashamed of yourself and just declare that you are retiring from the T20 format. “If he (Shakib) was included in the squad for experience, then we were not able to see it.
At least spend some time at this wicket, it is not like you are (Matthew) Hayden or (Adam) Gilchrist who can play a pull shot of a short ball, you are just a player from Bangladesh. Play according to your standards. When you are not able to play hook or pull, so just play the strokes that you know," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, Shakib attended the post-match presser after Bangladesh’s win over the Netherlands. He was asked about Sehwag's criticism, and he interrupted the question by asking, "Who?"
The veteran all-rounder responded harshly to the question, stating that it is not a player's obligation to respond to criticism. However, he understood Sehwag's point of view and noted that questions over his form and place in the team were understandable given his poor performances in the first two games.
"A player never comes to answer any questions. A player's job is to bat for the team if he's a batsman and contributes to the team. If he is a bowler, his job is to bowl well. The wicket is about luck. If he is a fielder, he should save each run and take as many catches as he can. Here, actually, there's nothing to answer for anyone.
I think it is important for a current player (to see) how much he can contribute to his team. When he can't contribute, then naturally there would be discussions and I don't think it is a bad thing," Shakib said.
Bangladesh will take on Nepal in their final Group D match on Sunday. If they win, they are guaranteed a Super-Eight berth. If they lose, they would expect Sri Lanka to beat the Netherlands.
