In a remarkable display of dedication, Shakib Al Hasan swiftly shifted his focus from the political arena to the cricket pitch within 24 hours of winning the national elections for Magura-1 constituency. The celebrated all-rounder wasted no time and immersed himself in cricketing activities at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur.
Shakib’s unanticipated arrival at the indoor nets surprised media personnel, many of whom had already left the stadium following individual training sessions of other national stars. The news of his presence quickly spread, prompting a return of journalists who stayed until sunset to cover Shakib’s training session.
As he stepped onto familiar ground, Shakib Al Hasan, not wanting to be labeled a politician within the BCB premises, emphasized, “This is not politics. This is the cricket field. I am still holding the same old position [as a cricketer].” His arrival was met with congratulatory garlands from groundsmen, acknowledging his recent electoral victory.
Eager to resume action after recovering from a finger injury that sidelined him since the ICC ODI World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan brandished a new bat, a clear sign of his enthusiasm. His childhood mentor, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, oversaw his batting session, marking his return to the nets for the first time since his injury.
Shakib Al Hasan to play in BPL
In an interview with The Daily Star, Shakib had earlier mentioned his return to cricket with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), commencing on January 19. His training session at SBNCS was a vital step in preparing for the upcoming franchise-based league.
Fahim expressed satisfaction with Shakib’s batting, stating, “Yeah, no complaints regarding his finger while he was batting. I haven’t seen him bowl yet, but once he does that, I will be able to tell. His batting looked really good.”
Despite political engagements in Magura, Shakib Al Hasan remained physically active with sessions there. The training at SBNCS marked his return to batting with cricket balls, displaying his intent to overcome any rustiness that may have developed during his hiatus.
Observers noted the distinct sound of Shakib’s bat, indicating his joy at being back on the cricket field. Fahim addressed potential doubts about rustiness, stating, “Yes, there can be doubts within himself since he doesn’t get this kind of gap [in cricket activities]. So, once he gets into his groove, it becomes okay in no time.”
Shakib Al Hasan, the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC’s current ODI and T20I rankings, engaged in training exercises on the SBNCS field, incorporating runs and soft-ball deliveries into his routine.
A BCB official revealed that there is still some pain in his injured finger but emphasized that it’s not a cause for concern. With 70-80 percent of the pain alleviated, Shakib will focus on strengthening his finger for the upcoming BPL, marking his full return to the cricketing arena.
