Shakib-Al-Hasan returns to Bangladesh after humiliating loss against South Africa, reason revealed

Bangladesh hasn't had a good World Cup 2023 thus far. Bangladesh lost four straight matches, two of which were by a margin of more than 100 runs, and the other two by seven and eight wickets, respectively, after defeating Afghanistan in their opening match at Dharamsala. Captain Shakib Al Hasan has returned home as their campaign is in jeopardy.

3 things you need to know

• Bangladesh lost 4 of the 5 matches played in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• The only win came against Afghanistan
• Bangladesh are currently at the bottom of the points table

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Shakib Al-Hasan returns to Bangladesh amid the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023

Bangladesh's next two matches are against Pakistan on October 31 and the Netherlands on October 29 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Shakib returned to Dhaka ahead of the two crucial games that might potentially, if not completely, save their World Cup campaign. Even while it might appear strange for the captain to depart from the squad in the middle of a disastrous tournament run, the trip was for a brief training session with his instructor, Nazmul Abedeen Faheem. Meanwhile, the rest of the team arrived in Kolkata.

(Shakib-Al-Hasan plays a shot during Bangladesh vs New Zealand match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Image: AP)

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Shakib went home to practice

The day after Bangladesh's devastating 149-run loss to South Africa in Mumbai, Shakib arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPNCricinfo. He proceeded directly to the Shere Bangla National Stadium to work with Abedeen. Throwdowns dominated the first session, which lasted almost three hours.

"He arrived today. We will be training for three days," Faheem told ESPNcricinfo. "Today, tomorrow and day after, and then he will return to Kolkata. We worked on his batting today."

The Bangladesh captain has had a woeful run with the bat till now in the tournament. Scoring just 56 runs in the 4 matches played so far in the World Cup.

"Shakib probably feels comfortable working this way," Faheem said. "I am not sure what we are going to do next - I will take each session as he wants."

Shakib will join the Bangladesh squad again on October 27, 2023, a day before the clash against the Netherlands.