Tamim Comments on Shakib’s Lack of Runs

Shakib Al Hasan seems unusually unfamiliar in this World Cup. He has failed in both batting and bowling. In a dramatic match against South Africa, he was dismissed in an awkward manner. His dismissal has fueled criticism about his place in the World Cup squad. Many in the cricketing community believe it’s time for Shakib to step down from the T20 format.

The Shakib-Tamim conflict is a well-known topic in Bangladesh cricket. Many believe Shakib played a role in Tamim Iqbal’s decision not to participate in the ODI World Cup. Tamim had withdrawn himself from the T20 format long ago. Although he is not with the team in the World Cup, he watches the matches with interest. Thus, Shakib’s poor performance hasn’t escaped his former friend's attention.

In a discussion on ESPNcricinfo following the match, Tamim Iqbal spoke about Shakib Al Hasan’s issues. Regarding Shakib’s problems, Tamim said, “Due to eye problems, Shakib has recently been facing difficulties playing short balls. I believe he should work more on this and consider how he will approach the game in the future.”

Against South Africa, Shakib was dismissed at a crucial time after scoring 3 runs off 4 balls. With the ball, he bowled only one over and conceded 6 runs. It’s rare in T20 cricket for Shakib not to complete his bowling quota. When asked by the host whether it’s time to drop Shakib from the XI, Tamim responded,

“Definitely not. Shakib’s 4 overs are very important; he is an experienced bowler. He has been the number one all-rounder for many years. So, if he isn’t bowling his full 4 overs, then it’s a problem.”

With 1 win and 1 loss from 2 matches, Bangladesh is currently in 2nd place on the points table in the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, South Africa is at the top after winning all 3 of their matches.