View-Counterview: Is Shakib Al Hasan's Test sabbatical justified?

Bangladesh find themselves in an interesting situation. They've done exceedingly well to lap up their recent limited-overs surge with success in whites as well. Wins against Sri Lanka, England and Australia is a fine testimony of their constant growth. But what about continuity? What about finding the next level of excellence - of competing hard overseas. That's perhaps where they need their best players to be available.

Shakib Al Hasan's recent decision to request for a six-month break from Tests and BCB's call to grant it could put a spanner in the works for the rising Asian side. Without him, they're a senior batsman and a very clever bowler short. But if he is fatigued, his inclusion might not yield the desired results anyway, and could also end up tiring him out further. Shakib is easily Bangladesh's biggest superstar, but he's also 30 and managing him well should be high on the agenda for a swiftly-progressing Bangladesh.

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Shakib is the best judge of himself

How much cricket is too much cricket? This is a question which is often brought up by well-wishers of the game with the primary concern being that of viewer fatigue. The international calendar is as packed as it has ever been, and whatever pockets of space are spared in a year, T20 leagues are there to fill them all. But players, well players are supposed to adhere to the grind. They're the ones who are smiling all the way to the bank after all, assuming that there is some surplus time after completing the media commitments.

The more the wood, the greater the fire, it's true. But the fire usually dies if you don't allow it some room to breathe. Modern day cricket is taxing at the best of times, and recently, more and more players have voiced concern over the grueling schedule. AB de Villiers is the most recent example. Even someone as fit as him felt that he needed time off from the game. De Villiers, in fact, last played a Test match over 20 months back, and has only recently made himself available again in the longest format.

"Over the past year or so, I've tried to manage my commitments. I've felt mentally and physically tired. Playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll. Together with Cricket South Africa, we've tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible," de Villiers had said.

Shakib, 30, isn't getting any younger. He has served Bangladesh for around a decade now, and during this time, he has been at the forefront of their rise in the cricketing world. And only now, with his team a force to be reckoned with, and many young talents emerging, does he wish for a brief sabbatical from red-ball cricket. That he has chosen to opt out of Test matches instead of limited-overs cricket is sure to raise eyebrows. But it's worth pointing out that while the shorter formats can be more physically demanding, Test cricket drains you mentally.

There's no arguing the fact that the longer Shakib plays, the better it will be for Bangladesh. It's also important to note that he is the best judge of himself, and only he can decide what's best for him. So if a little break is going to help him rejuvenate, why not? He's deserved that.

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Why not take a break from limited-overs cricket?

Bangladesh cricket is at a crucial juncture in its journey at the moment. Wins against England, Sri Lanka and now Australia in Tests, wins against sides like India and South Africa in ODI series at home have put them on track to achieve much more. After their wins at home and the historic win in Sri Lanka, it's crucial for the team to continue their forward march in overseas conditions. If they do well in South Africa, that'll send out a message that they aren't just competetive at home but can challenge sides in alien conditions as well.

At this stage, the side not only needs Shakib's all-round skills but him being present as a mentor as well. The team still has the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and coach Chandika Hathurusingha, but Shakib's stature in the team is much bigger and more valued. Shakib played a key role in dismantling the Australians in the first Test in Dhaka. Imagine if they are struggling in South Africa and don't have the experience of Shakib to fall back upon?

"Obviously I am not happy, being the captain of the side. Shakib is Shakib, and we are going to miss him badly," was Mushfiqur's reaction to the Bangladesh daily The Daily Star. The Bangladesh captain made no efforts to hide his displeasure and that speaks volumes about Shakib's value to the team.

"We have not considered Shakib Al Hasan in the two-match Test series against South Africa as the board approved his appeal for a break. But he can join if he is comfortable," chief selector Minhajul Abedin said, leaving the door ajar for Shakib to make an earlier return than anticipated.

What the allrounder could have done instead is taken a break from limited-overs cricket. After the five ODIs in South Africa, he's scheduled to play in the Bangladesh Premier League. When compared, Bangladesh making their mark in Test cricket outweighs Dhaka Dynamites winning the BPL. He could have also played the two Tests in South Africa and taken a break in the limited-overs series ahead of the BPL if the franchise insisted on having his services.

The move sets a bad precedence where the youngsters will consider it alright to ignore the longer format and focus on limited-overs cricket. It's been happening for some time and unless the players take the onus upon themselves to improve the health of Test cricket, it's not going to get better.

Do you have an opinion about this?

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User submissions

Pradyut Hande :

In today's day and age of cluttered playing schedules and non-stop travel across multiple regions and time zones; it becomes imperative to often take a couple of step backs and revitalise in order to boost career-related longevity. The likes of star players such as Shakib al Hasan and AB de Villiers opting to take a sizeable break from the longest format of the game cannot be considered a selfish move; but, instead a prudent decision made on the back of their respective sides' best interests moving forward.

Given the fact that Shakib plays all three formats of the game in addition to T20 franchise cricket; it is bound to take a toll on the body with the progression of age - physical, mental and emotional. I see no harm in taking a sabbatical as players such as these know their bodies and state of health the best. It is better to refresh and refocus rather than lurch into series after series with the spectre of injury and burnout looming overhead. Extending one's shelf life and utility demands such difficult calls from time to time. The cricketing administrators, selectors, fans and players alike might consider it a bitter pill to swallow; but, ought to accept the same; nevertheless.

Mosharraf Hoassain Chowdhury

I do not think this is the right time to take a break. Because we need to prove that we can do well even outside the sub continent. We have just started winning Test matches and we need to continue this.

Vinayak VS

I am really surprised by his decision to take a break from Test cricket for 6 months and at the same time he is willing to play in T20 leagues all over the world. I think our first preference should be playing for our nation.

I also think that Bangladesh is not playing that amount of cricket when compared to India and England. A very good example for this is Virat Kohli. He had played in almost all games for India for a long period. So Shakib would have taken a break from a series or the T20 league but he choose a six month break from Tests, which is not good for Test Cricket and Bangladesh. I wish he will reconsider his decision.

Umesh Wasnik

Being an all-rounder, I really feel Shakib deserves rest. Each match Bangladesh play, his body takes heavy toll, and for a prolonged career, it's the right decision. To reach the next level, Bangladesh cannot depend on few players to play consistently, rather they have to create a pool of players to replace their greats else they might find themselves struggling like Sri Lanka in the future.

Adithya CS

I really feel Shakib deserves his sabbatical from Test cricket because with the amount of cricket going around it surely takes a heavy toll on anyone's body and surely Bangladesh don't want their best player play against South Africa and get injured and be out for longer than necessary.

Mousom Datta

In today's age of non stop cricket, gruelling travelling schedules, tremendous media scrutiny, it becomes really mentally and physically draining when you have played for such a long time and been the star player of your side like AB de Villers and Shakib have been for their respective sides. I understand the people's sentiment that taking a break when your side is on the ascendancy and is on the forefront of a very important overseas series is somewhat putting yourself ahead of the team, but, you have got to realise Test cricket is most draining both physically and mentally for allrounders like Shakib, especially. Hence the player's view that he needs the break because he knows best what is good for him. Let's not question such players' commitment because they have been champions and have given us such great memories. I agree to the view that the T20 leagues and ODI cricket are less draining mentally.