Dhaka: Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, the world’s leading all-rounder, will sit out of two Test matches during a tour of South Africa this month after asking for a break from the longer format, selectors said Monday.
The 30-year-old has played every Test for Bangladesh since missing two games against the West Indies in 2014, but earlier Monday requested a six-month sabbatical from the game “to refresh his body”.
Bangladesh will also play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games in South Africa during their first tour to the country since 2008. Shakib earlier said he would be available for other formats.
But the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision to accept the request means Shakib will also miss the two-Test series against Sri Lanka at home in December-January.
“We still cannot think of a team without Shakib. But he wanted a break and it was granted,” said chief selector Minhajul Abedin. AFP
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