Shakib returns on September 18
Shakib Al Hasan confessed that he had no qualms of being lonely in the West Midlands of England.
“I am enjoying my time so much that I don’t feel homesick,” said all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan while talking with the Daily Star Sport over phone yesterday, moments before he left home for the second day’s play against Sussex at the New Road ground.
“Before this time, I had once enjoyed Eid abroad but that was with teammates. But this time it was something new for me. But honestly speaking I didn’t feel bad though I thought that it would be hard for me to stay without my family for more than a month,” said Shakib, who will return home on September 18 to join the training camp to prepare for the next month’s one-day series against New Zealand.
It was altogether a different Eid celebration for the Bangladesh all-rounder, who already made his mark in County Cricket, as he had a game on Eid day at Lord’s.
Shakib performed his Eid prayers at the Regents Park Mosque and then played the game against Middlesex where he took a career-best 7 for 32 to earn a stunning victory for Worcestershire. After the game he joined an Eid party at St. Peters College and then had dinner with a Bangladeshi family in London.
“Actually I enjoyed the day. So far I have had hardly any leisure time besides cricket. I am enjoying every bit of it here as everything is new to me.
“I am playing cricket in a totally different atmosphere. The reaction was as usual even after my seven-wicket haul,” informed Shakib.
He also said that the supporters want him to continue his stint with Worcestershire in the next season also. “This is great feeling as the supporters want me to continue with my team for next season also,” he said, adding, “I learnt many things by playing county cricket but it must reflected in my performance while playing for the national team. I have to prove that my county experiences matured me. Ultimately performance is the key for any player,” said Shakib.
The immediate-past Bangladesh skipper believed that his performance in England’s domestic game will open a window for other Bangladeshi players.
“Definitely it’s open a window but once again performance is the key. I think Tamim (Iqbal) has every chance to play county cricket next year because he is now our No 1 performer,” he hoped.
“You can’t replace him with any other player right at the moment. So, we will feel his absence during the five-match one-day series against New Zealand,” opined Shakib.
The all-rounder has learned many things as a cricketer by playing county cricket but as a cook he became skilled at only two recipes. “I can make only omelette and fried eggs.”
