Shakib: Ask me about on-field incidents instead

The new T20I captain of Bangladesh, Shakib al Hasan, made a bold statement when queried about the incident of a few players going outside the team hotel after the third and final ODI loss against South Africa at Buffalo Park in East London and returning to their room after the stipulated time. The all-rounder, who is currently ranked No 1 in the ICC ranking, said the off-field controversies should remain outside the field. As he is the captain of the side and the team are preparing for the T20I series, Shakib said it’s better to ask him about the upcoming T20I challenge against the host.

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“Off-field controversies should remain off the field. You should ask the others. Please ask me stuff about on-field things,” Shakib said to the media on the eve of their first T20I against South Africa Thursday at Mangaung Oval. Three players in the form of all-rounder Nasir Hossain and pacers Shafiul Islam and Taskin Ahmed reportedly remained outside after the general curfew time of 10pm on Sunday. Such an incident created quite a buzz on social media and later, outgoing board president Nazmul Hasan, also a candidate for the upcoming BCB election, said the matter will be investigated once the tour is finished. But before the T20I series, Shakib is focused on their game-plan and playing good cricket, rather than thinking about off-field issues.