‘Shakib will come back to achieve more’

As of today, the most celebrated cricketer of the country, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will once again be available for playing cricket -- both at the domestic and international level for Bangladesh. And that would remain as a moment of festivity for fans of Bangladesh cricket who were left shattered and shocked on October 29, 2019 when Shakib was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to report corrupt approaches.

"It is a joyous occasion for Bangladesh cricket" is how Mohammad Salahuddin, Shakib's mentor, described the star all-rounder's return from ban. "Shakib's presence, in itself, is an encouraging factor for players at any level. Bangladesh, however, did not miss him as much due to the pandemic as they would if it were normal times. But regardless of everything, his return to cricket comes as a huge news for Bangladesh cricket," Salahuddin explained.

"I don't think he will have any problem in any cricketing activities. Shakib's mental state during a bad or a good period remains almost the same. He is such a strong character that his mental state does not change much during a difficult period," he said.

Shakib was supposed to join the Tigers in their planned tour of Sri Lanka and he had also started training for that purpose at the BKSP after he returned to the country in early September. Shakib, however, went back to the United States after the Sri Lanka tour was postponed.

"He had slight trouble running when he practised at the BKSP. He had gained weight but he got back in shape," said Salahuddin, who along with Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, helped Shakib during his training period at the BKSP.

Salahuddin is certain that this ban has helped Shakib learn a great lesson. "I am sure he took a lesson from this. And I do not have any doubts that he will now come back to achieve more and give even more than he already has to Bangladesh cricket."