Shakib mulls six-month sabbatical from Tests

Shakib mulls six-month sabbatical from Tests

Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is looking at managing his workload and is contemplating stepping away from Test cricket for the next six months. BCB officials on Saturday (September 9) confirmed about the development to Cricbuzz and said a decision will be made only after the all-rounder submits an official letter stating the same.

"We will take a decision once he submits the official letter," BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan told Cricbuzz. "We just heard about such a thing but there is nothing official about it." According to sources, Shakib is ready to fulfill his national commitments in the limited-overs formats but isn't sure about going through the rigours of the longer form immediately.

It is believed Shakib is expected to submit the letter on Sunday (September 10) requesting approval for his stepping away from Tests. On Saturday, the BCB president Nazmul Hasan, at his residence, held several meetings with the board high-ups to weigh the matter.

Cricbuzz also learnt that Shakib had made first mention of the same to the BCB president on Thursday, citing fatigue and the need to rejuvenate himself. Shakib believes that a six-month break would serve him well to get his enthusiasm levels back on top.

BCB, who are expected to announce the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa on Monday, find themselves in a dilemma. It is understood that it was because of Shakib's request that the board delayed the announcement of their squad that is scheduled to fly out to South Africa on September 16.

However, Chief selector Minhajul Abedin is hopeful that the all-rounder will change his mind in due course of time. Abedin refrained from commenting on the possibilities until the board received an official letter from Shakib.

"I think he will be part of the Test squad. We can only think of a replacement when we get an official letter from him. Until that arrives, we can always feel he is part of the Test squad," Minhajul told Cricbuzz on Sunday.

If Shakib goes ahead with the official letter and the board obliges, he will miss the two-Test series in South Africa and also the Tests against Sri Lanka at home in December-January.

Shakib has been one of Bangladesh's best players across formats, and his absence from the Test team, albeit for six months, would leave a big hole in the Bangladesh batting and bowling departments.