Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan following several changes in decision has decided to play the third and the final ODI of the series against South Africa and then asses and think if he needs to come back home to attend his ailing family members.
BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Younus on Monday evening had announced of Shakib’s decision to take flight back home on the same night and that the board had granted him leave from the remainder of the South Africa tour.
The decision however was changed in the next fifteen minutes and BCB and national team director Khaled Mahmud from South Africa announced of Shakib staying back – at least till the third ODI of the series.
With ODI the series level at 1-1 visitors Bangladesh will take on the Proteas in the series decider on Wednesday at the Centurion. Bangladesh stands in front of rare opportunity of winning their first ODI series in South Africa.
“It is true that Shakib was supposed to go back home today [Monday] like Jalal bhai had said. But the decision changed a while later. Shakib will play the third ODI and then decide if he will go back [to Dhaka] or stay,” said Mahmud in a video message to the media on Monday evening.
“I hope and pray that his family members recover soon. It is not in anybody’s control. Family matter is always important, it is the same with Shakib. But he looks eager to play. He finished as the best player in the first [ODI] game. He could not score in the second game but had bowled well. Shakib wants to play and win the series. He knows it is tough for the team to find a combination in this condition [in South Africa] with him suddenly leaving,” said former Bangladesh captain Mahmud.
“It is pleasing to see that he is sacrificing for the series,” Mahmud added.
News broke out Sunday late night of Shakib’s family members admitted to the Evercare Hospital with various illness.
According to a family source Shakib’s mother Shirin Akhter has been admitted to the hospital for last few days due to heart complications. The cricketer’s only son and second daughter have also been admitted to the hospital as they are suffering from pneumonia. His elder daughter has also been suffering from cold and fever.
Shakib’s mother-in law, who is suffering from cancer, is also admitted to hospital.