Sports

Shakib wants rest to regain strength, enhance focus

Now it is not a secret anymore that Shakib Al Hasan is taking temporary break from cricket and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday has granted the break to him for the two upcoming Test matches against South Africa.

The Bangladesh cricket maestro in a statement said he believes this temporary break will help him regain his strength and enhance his focus in all formats of the game. Shakib, who is currently on top in all three formats of cricket, has explained his position last night in his verified facebook page. Following the statement published on Shakib's facebook page:

Dear fans,

As you all know, I have been continuously playing and representing my national colours with pride over recent years which has taken a sudden toll on my physical and mental condition and as a result I expressed my desire to take temporary leave from the national team (in test format only) and the BCB has been kind enough to grant me leave for the two upcoming tests with South Africa with immediate effect.

I personally and honestly believe this temporary rest will help me regather my strength and enhance my focus on all formats of the game and, as a result, benefit me and the team overall leading to more collective success in the future.

I thank you for your never ending love and support. Let's all wish our Tigers the very best in the upcoming Test Series with South Africa.

- Shakib Al Hasan

Earlier, the BCB chief selector Akram Khan disclosed it in a press conference on Monday that Shakib Al Hasan is to be granted a break for the two Test matches against South Africa.

It was a talking point in media on Sunday when the news broke out that Shakib has submitted a letter to Bangladesh Cricket Board's Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury in which the world's leading all-rounder in all three format has requested BCB to allow him a six month break from Test.

Source: BSS