BCB rests all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from all forms of cricket till April 30

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has rested all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from all forms of cricket till April 30, 2022. This means that the left-handed player is set to miss the South Africa tour where the Bangladesh side is slated to play three ODIs and two Tests.

''He called me and said that I am not physically and mentally fit to play and want to skip the South Africa series and we have decided to give him rest till April 30,'' BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters on Wednesday.

Shakib had earlier hinted of taking a break from international cricket due to physical and mental state. "I don't want to waste the time or someone's spot," he had said. "Playing in this way, as a passenger, it will be like betraying or cheating my team-mates and the country."

The all-rounder had said that he wanted to concentrate on white-ball cricket, considering the two World Cups that are lined up and requested the board to give him a break from Tests till till mid-November: "I told the board that I wanted to stay out of Tests till November 22 this year. I wanted to concentrate fully on white-ball cricket. We have two World Cups in the next two years."

The left-hander was originally named in both the squads for the upcoming fixtures after BCB president Nazmul Hassan claimed that Shakib had made himself available for Tests.

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