The Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon raised questions over Shakib Al Hasan's commitment to the national side after he announced that he is mentally and physically exhausted and not ready to play in the upcoming tour of South Africa.
The BCB included Shakib in the squad for the tour of South Africa after he agreed to play in the series consisting of three ODIs and two Tests, though initially he refused to play the Test series as he wanted to make himself available for the Indian Premier League.
However none of the franchises were interested in picking him which paved the way for him to make himself available for the entire tour. However, there was a late twist in the tale as he announced on Sunday that constant cricket is weighing him down.
"Would he have said the same thing if he was picked in the IPL? Would he have said that he is mentally exhausted?" Papon said on Monday adding that he is fine if he is not available but it should not be informed in the last minute, reports Cricbuzz.
"If he not willing to play please tell us but it becomes difficult if he informs us at the last minute, then it becomes a problem. We made the plan for South Africa keeping him in mind and now when he says things it does hamper our planning. Members of the coaching staff and the team management are not sure what is happening.
"It is surprising to be honest. I don't know what he is saying now but his last conversation with me was in Chattogram where he said he would play and that's all I know." Shakib echoed the same sentiment during his impromptu presser before leaving for Dubai on March 6 but added that he has spoken with the BCB Cricket operation chairman regarding his mental and physical state.
Nazmul added that he is not sure why Shakib is not enjoying the game but hinted that the veteran could be in a mentally disturbed state. "I think he is mentally disturbed," he said. "What I feel is why won't he enjoy playing against Afghanistan because we had beaten them and if any cricketer is not enjoying the success of his team, then it is a big problem.
The president also expressed his surprise over the allrounder's preference to skip the ODIs and play the Tests instead "It is totally new to me because he was not interested to play Tests (initially). Look we won't force any cricketer but if anyone is under contract then he has to follow it. Otherwise we have to take such a step that won't be good for anyone."
