The erstwhile Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, delivered a scathing critique of Shakib Al Hasan's recent performances, suggesting the seasoned all-rounder ought to be mortified by his T20 statistics and consider retirement from the short format.
Shakib's campaign in the current T20 World Cup has been lamentable. With a costly 30 runs conceded in three overs and a paltry eight runs against Sri Lanka, his form further regressed in the subsequent match with South Africa.In a solitary over, Shakib relinquished six runs without claiming a scalp and was dismissed for a meagre three runs, succumbing to Anrich Nortje's delivery with a misjudged pull.
Following the Tigers' narrow four-run defeat, Sehwag did not mince words, chastising Shakib for his ill-timed flamboyance at the crease and contended that his tenure in the T20 squad should have concluded much earlier."I harboured this sentiment during the previous World Cup; Shakib's selection in T20s is no longer tenable," Sehwag expressed on a Cricbuzz broadcast. "In my view, his prime is behind him. His inclusion, presumably for his experience, did not translate into performance. He ought to have persevered at the crease.
"You're not a Hayden or a Gilchrist, capable of dispatching short deliveries with abandon; you're a cricketer from Bangladesh. Play within your means. The hook and pull are not within your repertoire; focus on your strengths and ensure your presence at the wicket," he elaborated.
Shakib's batting record in the preceding T20 World Cup in 2022 was equally underwhelming, amassing a mere 44 runs across five innings with a strike rate of 95.65.
Sehwag opines that Shakib should acknowledge the twilight of his T20 International career and gracefully exit the stage. "An athlete of your calibre and former captaincy, yet your figures speak volumes. It's time to accept these realities and gracefully announce your departure from the T20 arena," Sehwag concluded.
