Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib is ready to tour South Africa, consisting of three ODIs and two Tests while BCB Nazmul Hasan said his addition for the series does not guarantee that he will be available for the whole series.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is ready to play the series against South Africa and will be traveling to South Africa to take part in the series, consisting of three ODIs and two Tests.
BCB Nazmul Hasan did an hour-long closed-door meeting with the Shakib and after they both announced in a joint press conference that Shakib is available to tour the Arica.
Shakib had earlier said that he is not in a perfect mental and physical state to tour South Africa. Amongst all that anxiety over his future, the BCB still handed him an all-format central contract.
”I have spoken with Papon Bhai and we could do the plan for the whole year. I will be available in all three formats and the board will decide when to give me rest,”
Shakib told reporters at Mirpur on Saturday.
”I am available for the South Africa series,”
Shakib further said.
“Now I’m in a better situation (mentally). After going to South Africa, I may get better. It happens sometimes when you go to a better environment you feel good.
Shakib is likely to fly out on March 13. While his addition for the series does not guarantee that he will be available for the whole series against Proteas, Nazmul clarified. He further said that they will make sure that Shakib receives proper rest.
”We have given him a break. He had said that he is not in his best mental state and it can happen to anyone. Please don’t speculate. He can be in a state where decision-making could be difficult for him,”
Nazmul said.
“Today, after a long discussion, he said that he is ready to play in all formats including the South Africa series. Earlier, I had told him to rest and think with a cool head. He came today to the board and said that he wants to play. We should all support him. He will go to South Africa but might not play one or two matches but please don’t make a noise about it.”
The last bunch of Bangladesh team leaves Dhaka on Saturday while on Friday two batches left for South Africa to play the series.