Shakib Al Hasan is currently considered “half a cricketer”—by his own standards. Known globally as an all-rounder, Shakib is now unable to bowl due to an unofficial bowling action. This leaves him as a specialist batsman, and the selectors didn’t see room for him in the Champions Trophy squad as just a batsman.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain clarified the reasoning at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium today, stating, “Shakib couldn’t be included in the squad solely as a batsman.” However, his responses to a couple of other questions suggest that Shakib’s exclusion wasn’t solely about his “half-cricketer” status.
Shakib’s absence from the Champions Trophy squad was almost confirmed yesterday after news broke that he failed his second bowling action test. Addressing this, the chief selector explained, “With the issues in his bowling action, he can only play as a batsman. We considered him as such during team formation, but couldn’t find a spot for him in the combination.”
This implies that if Shakib’s bowling action were not an issue, he likely would have made the squad as an all-rounder. However, even when his bowling was not under scrutiny, selectors didn’t always include him. For instance, Shakib missed October’s home Test series against South Africa after losing his parliamentary seat in August, despite expressing a desire to retire from Test cricket in Mirpur.
Naturally, questions arise about whether off-field factors played a role in his exclusion this time as well. The chief selector dismissed these suspicions, stating, “If someone hasn’t retired, they remain in consideration, as BCB President has said. We ensure there are no issues with fitness or other concerns. This time, there was no discussion on any secondary matter.”
In 247 ODIs, Shakib has scored 7,570 runs at an average of 37.29, including 9 centuries and 56 fifties. So why wasn’t he considered even as a specialist batsman? Responding to this, Gazi Ashraf said, “It’s not appropriate to publicly discuss why a legendary player wasn’t included. Those in the squad are capable and have proven themselves with runs in domestic cricket.”
The Champions Trophy begins on February 19, with Bangladesh’s first match against India on February 20. In the group stage, Najmul Hossain Shanto and his teammates will also face New Zealand and Pakistan.
