Sakib al Hasan thought a text message to cricket operations chief Enayet Hossain should be enough for him to take a leave from national team duty.
Sakib sent a text message to Siraj on Thursday to justify his unauthorised absence from the team’s training camp, which came as the latest surprise after he had already stoked up a few controversies since his arrival from England.
The all-rounder castigated the selectors for not consulting with him about the squad before it was officially announced and he did not bother to show any courtesy to new coach Stuart Law, who started working on Wednesday.
He even did not feel it necessary to take a leave from any of the concerned officials to skip Law’s first training session.
As the Bangladesh Cricket Board was thinking of taking action against the unruly skipper, Siraj received the text message from Sakib in which he said he needed a break as he has been playing constantly since the last World Cup.
While Siraj had every reason to agree that Sakib really deserved some rest, he was not ready to grant him any leave in this manner.
‘Yes, I received a text message from Sakib in which he wanted a leave until July 23. He also said he wanted to ask for a leave of absence earlier but could not do so as he was busy otherwise,’ Siraj told New Age.
‘However, I cannot accept this and asked him to submit a written application,’ added Siraj, whose committee looks after the contracted players and overseas coaches.
Sakib later sent an application to cricket operations manager Sabbir Khan through a messenger. It was not clear if his application was granted and when Sakib will resume training. Sources said he was asked to report to team manager Tanjeeb Ahsan Saad on Friday.
Meanwhile, BCB chief executive officer Manzur Ahmed said he has already spoken to Sakib on phone and asked the skipper to meet him on Friday.
‘Cricket operations committee is looking into the matter and hopefully it has already been resolved. But I asked him to meet me on Friday and explain if he has anything to,’ said Manzur.
In the absence of Sakib and his deputy Tamim Iqbal, who was given a week’s rest to nurse his groin injury, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim is leading the national team in the two-day warm-up game against GP-BCB National Cricket Academy that began on Thursday.
Only 10 balls were bowled before rain washed out the opening day’s play after Mushfique had won the toss and elected to bat. The match will resume today if the weather permits.
-With New Age input
