Bangladesh cricket fans face an anxious wait as star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan remains undecided about his participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka series due to his ongoing battle with blurred vision.
Shakib al Hasan, currently leading Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League, has been struggling with the issue since the ODI World Cup last year. This limitation forced him to play primarily as a spinner, leaving his batting in the shadows.
Speaking after Rangpur’s win on Saturday, Shakib al Hasan offered little clarity on his availability for the Sri Lanka tour, stating, “Time will tell.” He confirmed discussions with officials and the board are pending before making a final decision.
This uncertainty extends to his ODI captaincy role. Shakib al Hasan previously expressed a desire to step down after the World Cup, but a final decision remains elusive. “I will take a decision after talking with the board,” he said, highlighting the lack of progress on this front.
Shakib’s frustration regarding his limited role with Rangpur was evident. He confessed to feeling “uncomfortable” due to the lack of batting rhythm and apologized for not fulfilling the team’s all-round expectations.
Shakib al Hasan remains determined
Despite the challenges, Shakib al Hasan remains determined to overcome his hurdles. “I realized that when the time is bad, everything goes bad,” he admitted, “but I am not thinking about quitting.” He emphasized his efforts towards a comeback and a future decision after exhausting all options.
Shakib’s eye condition, diagnosed as a retinal issue, necessitates conservative treatment. He has consulted various doctors, including specialists in England and Singapore, but the exact cause remains unclear.
“There’s no problem in the eye,” Shakib asserted, pushing back on persistent concerns. “We are trying to find what has gone wrong.” He revealed visiting Singapore for a comprehensive checkup and the ongoing search for a solution.
Adding to the complexity, a BCB official told Cricbuzz that Shakib will likely to undergo hypnosis to address a potential psychosomatic element. This approach aims to manage stress and potentially alleviate the vision issue.
With the Sri Lanka series looming and Shakib’s future shrouded in uncertainty, Bangladesh cricket fans can only wait and hope for a positive resolution. His availability and captaincy decision will significantly impact the team’s preparation and performance in the upcoming matches.
