BCB president Nazmul Hasan has admitted to being irritated with Shakib Al Hasan, a day after it was revealed that the allrounder had threatened to quit playing Tests and ODIs for Bangladesh. Nazmul questioned Shakib’s commitment towards adhering to the team’s discipline.
Shakib’s latest indiscretion was leaving for Barbados to play in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League without a No-Objection Certificate. According to Hasan, Shakib had sent his application to the BCB’s acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury on July 1 but having returned to the country the next day, Nizamuddin immediately asked the cricket operations committee to instruct Shakib to stay back in Bangladesh.
Nazmul said that Shakib was showing signs that he did not care about rules and discipline, particularly when he said he was unaware of not being allowed to leave the dressing room during an international match.
“Shakib is very popular, he is our best player,” Nazmul told reporters at his residence. “We all love him but if such a big star keeps breaking the rules, the team loses coordination and control. It creates a bad example for our future generation.
“I heard recently that he said that he didn’t know that he can’t leave the dressing room. He was Bangladesh’s captain. Is he trying to show that he doesn’t care? When he is playing in the IPL or CPL, why doesn’t he go to the crowd leaving the dressing room? He goes by their rules but doesn’t follow our rules. There’s a problem and we have to find that out.”
Hasan said that Shakib should have known that he could not play a domestic T20 tournament in another country without the NOC. “We have nothing against the CPL, but why did he leave when he was told to stay? Why did he go without the NOC? Why didn’t he apply for the NOC earlier? I can’t just apply at night and leave next morning. It shows he doesn’t care. His matches start on July 11, but why did he have to leave on July 2? He wasn’t going early for the matches.”
Hasan also said that the new coach Chandika Hathurusingha was getting a poor introduction to Bangladesh cricket because of Shakib’s threats.
“We got an email from Chandika Hathurusingha, due to which we have called a meeting on July 7. Shakib said he wants to leave Tests and ODIs. If a player gives more priority to overseas leagues, we will have to think again whether we should spend so much behind them.
“I have read in the papers that there has been misbehavior with the new coach too. Just imagine what impression that coach is having of us? This is all very irritating.”
