Out-of-form Shakib needs to scamper his way out for Bangladesh

It goes without saying that Shakib Al Hasan has gone off to a terribly slow start for Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2024. 

The all-rounder has been out of form and it could eventually hamper his team’s chance to qualify for the Super 8 of the multi-nation event. 

Having ruled the ICC rankings for all-rounders for quite some time, Shakib recently slipped to No.5 and those are not great signs for the Tigers by any stretch of the imagination.

For someone among the leading wicket-takers in T20Is, Shakib went wicketless against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Prior to that, Rishabh Pant toyed with the Bangladesh legend, hitting him for 3 sixes in a single over. 

Shakib has faltered big time even with the bat in hand, with scores of 8 and 3. The pitches in New York helped fast bowlers to a large extent, but Shakib failed to take advantage of the conditions.

Against South Africa, Shakib tried to hit his way out of form, trying to take on the in-form Anrich Nortje, who has hardly put a foot wrong this season. 

But all he could manage was a top edge for Aiden Markram to take a simple catch inside the circle after which Bangladesh lost by 4 runs. The stroke looked ugly to the naked eye as he got in no position to play it.

‘Shakib shouldn’t play after T20 World Cup 2024’

The shot against the Proteas enraged former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, who slammed the former Bangladesh skipper for trying to play the outrageous shot. The veteran hit out at Shakib, saying that the all-rounder should not be playing T20Is for Bangladesh after the ongoing mega event.

“I feel, Shakib’s time was up long ago. If they have brought him for experience, it’s not showing results. Spend some time on this wicket. You are not Matthew Hayden or Adam Gilchrist that you are pulling. You are from Bangladesh, so play accordingly. The hook and pull isn’t your shot, then why play it?” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

“I feel if the results aren’t coming. Better lose with a young team. At least they will get experience. You bring experienced bowlers in the squad so that they take care of the team’s atmosphere, or they will use that experience to bat or bowl well, or to send down dot balls. I haven't seen anything like that from Shakib. I don’t think after this World Cup, he should play or that he should be played,” Sehwag added.

‘Shakib did not become Shakib in one or two days’

Veteran Bangladesh cricketer Imrul Kayes had Shakib’s back saying that Sehwag should not have made those remarks against the legendary all-rounder. Kayes, who played 39 Tests, 78 ODIs and 14 T20Is, lashed out at Sehwag for not being respectful in his comments towards a player of Shakib’s aura and calibre.

Kayes said that Shakib has made a name for himself over the years and cricketers for his class should be spoken off with some respect.

"I don't know how a legendary cricketer like him thinks when he says such things. You won't see Sachin-Dravid talking like this because they give that respect to players. Since he didn't get that respect in his career, he doesn't know how to give that respect to other players,” Imrul told CricFrenzy.

"I don't know how a legendary cricketer like him thinks when he says such things. You won't see Sachin-Dravid talking like this because they give that respect to players. Since he didn't get that respect in his career, he doesn't know how to give that respect to other players."

"Shakib did not become Shakib Al Hasan in one or two days. If you look at his career, you will see many achievements. He has been the number one all-rounder in all three formats for a long time. I think such cricketers should be spoken about with respect," Kayes added.

‘Shakib will figure out a way’

Shakib and Tamim have reportedly not been in great terms since the latter was left out of Bangladesh’s ODI World Cup squad. But parking aside any indifference between them, Tamim backed his national team to come out of the bad patch.

Tamim lauded Shakib for scaling heights in his career and backed him to return to his very best in the ongoing T20 tournament in the Caribbean and the USA.

"He has [gone through] this kind of lean patch before. He has a lot of experience and I am sure he will come good. He is a very big player for Bangladesh," Tamim told ESPNCricinfo.

"He has done a lot of good things. He has achieved a lot individually. For the last one year, he has not been scoring heavily but I have the belief that he will figure out a way to contribute with both the bat and the ball," Tamim added.

It’s time for Shakib

Shakib is currently the all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups, having played in all 9 editions of the championship since 2007. But he has had his troubles in the last 12 months, especially after he revealed that he had problems with his vision during the ODI World Cup.

Earlier this year, Shakib struggled with both bat and ball in the initial stage of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) while playing for the Rangpur Riders. But once he found his rhythm, he became a tough customer to deal with for opponents.

The qualification for the Super 8s is heating up and Bangladesh are fighting for the second spot from Group D with South Africa already through. Barring Towhid Hriody and Mahmudullah Riyad, the Bangladesh batters have struggled. It’s high time that Shakib finds his form before time runs out for the Tigers.

Source: India Today