'No cricket now'

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said that he was going to spend the next two weeks as far away from the game of cricket as possible.

Members of the national cricket team are currently on leave till August 20. This is the longest break that they have received this year so far and the ace all-rounder wants to make the most of it.

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"I am not in a cricketing mood at all. I am now officially in a businessman's mood," joked Shakib during the official opening ceremony of his restaurant 'Shakib's' in Banani yesterday.

"Right now I am thinking about my holidays. This is the time when we should all relax because we have had such a good time and we should enjoy that success. When we come back and get into the groove of the game, that's when I can talk about the upcoming series," he added.

The slow left-armer is leaving for the United States tomorrow and will spend two weeks there.

"I am going to America for two weeks to sleep. Hopefully I will be able to sleep well. I obviously have a few travelling and shopping plans there. In all, my plan is to stay as far from cricket as possible.

"I might play some football if I get the time and if I get the place, but won't stay near cricket," said a gleeful Shakib.

"We have got this gap after a long time. The holidays are what we are all focused on. Until then I don't think anyone of us will even watch cricket on television," the left-armer added.

Shakib, who attended the press conference with his wife Umme Ahmed Shishir, also announced that the couple were eagerly waiting to become parents later this year.

"Please pray for us. [The child] is due in November. Our fingers are crossed, InshAllah everything will go fine," said Shakib, adding that they had already decided on a name.

Speaking to reporters, Shishir said that Shakib's business stint will be as successful as his cricketing career. "He will do very well. He is an all-rounder," said Shishir.

mal>"The T20 World Cup is around next year and if we can host the BPL at this time, it will be good practice for us," said Riyad.