Shakib available to play for South Africa tour

In a dramatic move, Shakib Al Hasan decided to make him available for South Africa tour. He will now leave the country on Sunday night to join the side in South Africa in which he said he would play all format of cricket.

Bangladesh will play three-match ODI series and two Tests in South Africa. Shakib's decision came after the meeting with the Bangladesh Cricket Board
(BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon today.

"I spoke to Papon bhai for the last two days and we planned our cricket schedule for the entire year. I am available for all three formats," Shakib said in a joint press conference with Papon and other board members today.

"The board will decide when to give me rest that includes the South Africa series. I am available for the South Africa series," he added further without elaborating the things.

Shakib Al Hasan wanted a break from the tour after describing himself physically and mentally unfit. He said during the Afghanistan series he felt himself just a passenger and with this physical and mental state, it is not possible to play for him in South Africa as he needs break to recharge himself.

BCB president though reacted furiously, questioning his commitment to the country and the board finally gave him a break until April 30 from all form of cricket.

However the board president today said Shakib actually was mentally disturbed and therefore he was not in a right state of mind to take any decision.

"He firstly told that he would play in South Africa and then he said he is not mentally fit to play. After reaching the country from Dubai, he met me at my house two days ago and said he is keen to go to South Africa. So it proves he is now mentally disturbed, what may happen for any people. That's why I said him to take two more days to think about it. But he again said he has no problem now to go to South Africa. Then I told him to come to the board and talk about his future plan."

But the president doesn't give any assurance that Shakib will play all matches in South Africa.

"I am saying he is going to South Africa but that doesn't mean he would play all matches. It might happen that he may take rest or the team management can rest him to play another new player for any ODI match or Test match," Papon said.

"We have decided that all our senior player can take rest from any particular match or series because they have done a lot for the country and they reached an age from where they won't be able to play all matches. And at the same time we need to give new players some opportunity. So from now on, we can give the senior players rest gradually. If anyone wants to take rest, he should inform it us earlier so that we can devise the plan well," he remarked.

Bangladesh ODI and Test team had already left the country in three phases. The ODIs will be played on March 18, 20 and 23, and will be followed by a two-Test series.