Bangladesh team selector Habibul Bashar said Saturday that Shakib al Hasan will return to the international arena when the star-all rounder feels regarding his fitness and that they are not thinking about his appearance in the ongoing tour of New Zealand.
Bashar, the former national captain, emphasised that Shakib has been playing for a long time and he knows his role, so the selectors’ only concern is his well-being before the World Cup.
He also thinks the all-rounder does not need any extra grooming after returning from the Indian Premier League before the flagship ICC event.
“It has been 10-15 years since Shakib has played his first match for the Tigers. I don’t think he still needs grooming before the World Cup after coming back from IPL. He has been playing for the Tigers for a long time now with the current bunch of players. There is no issue with the third and final Test match [in New Zealand] or IPL. The issue is with his fitness,” said Bashar.
Head Coach Steve Rhodes speaks after stumps of day two of 2nd Test at Wellington. pic.twitter.com/rnso8k4JaK
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 9, 2019
“[We need to think] how fit he is to play and which game he can start. There is no issue with his participation in the third Test or IPL. His well-being is the most important thing for us. If he can get fit enough to play the third Test, he will play. Or if he can get ready to take part in IPL, he will. We are not thinking about these things at all. His fitness and well-being are most important to us,” added the selector.
Bashar also informed that they will announce the squad for the World Cup very soon and that the preliminary squad will contain some young performers other than the core team members who have been playing for the national side recently.
“You will get the preliminary squad within [Sunday] or [Monday]. There are not too many changes. We already have a set-up for the World Cup. There is a rule to announce a 30-member team ahead of the World Cup,” said the former right-handed batsman.
“We have thought to include some new faces who have played well in BPL. We may also include some players who have done well in the HP side and for Bangladesh ‘A’ team,” said the 46-year old.
