Shakib Al Hasan Seeks More Clarity From The ICC On Its Safety Guidelines

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladeshi all-rounder, has urged the International Cricket Council [ICC] to give more clarity on the safety guidelines issued by the apex body, a few days ago. According to Shakib, ICC’s guidelines have left a lot of unanswered questions and there are certain issues that need to be discussed before cricket resumes from the coronavirus forced break.

Recently, the ICC had come up with safety guidelines for the safe commencement of cricket in the post COVID world and the measures included the appointment of a chief medical officer 14-day pre-match isolation training camp and the usage of gloves by the umpires before handling the ball.

“Now we are hearing that it (COVID-19 virus) might spread around 12 feet, not just three or six. So does it mean the two batsmen can’t meet at the end of the over?” Shakib Al Hasan was quoted as saying by ‘Prothom Alo’ newspaper.

“They will stand at their ends? Won’t there be any crowd in the stadium? Will the wicketkeeper stand afar? What would happen to close-in fielders? These things require discussions,” the all-rounder added.

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Shakib Al Hasan is currently serving his suspension for non-reporting the match-fixing approach

The apex body has also suggested for a 5-6 format-specific training for the bowlers, with the last three years requiring the bowlers to bowl at match-intensity.

Shakib, however, is pretty confident that the ICC will weigh in all the factors before cricket resumes.

“I don’t think they (ICC) will take a chance before they are very sure. Whatever it is, life comes first. I am sure they will think of safety first,” Shakib Al Hasan said.

Shakib, of-course, is playing the waiting game on two counts- 1) when his suspension for not reporting match-fixing approach by a bookie will get over and 2) when the corona enforced break will get over.

“I am counting days in two ways. One, when will corona be over, and the other, when will my suspension end. I am going through a tough time. Although there’s no cricket going on anywhere, I know that if it starts tomorrow, I won’t be able to play cricket. When you are restricted about something, whether others talk about it or not, you know yourself about what you are going through,” he added.

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