"Will respect his decision.." Bangladesh selector Abdur Razzak on Shakib Al Hasan's retirement | Exclusive

Former Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak is currently playing for Southern Superstars in the Legends League Cricket.

Abdur Razzak, the left handed spinner created history for Bangladesh in 2013, when he became first ever Bangladeshi bowler to have 200 One Day International (ODI) wickets to his name. Apart from that, the Khulna born spinner has had more than 600 First Class wickets as well to his name.

Razzak made his debut for Bangla Tigers in 2004 and his international career lasted 14 years. He played his last game in 2018 and six years hence, he is now serving as the National Selector for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Apart from that he is also plying his trade for Southern Superstars in Legends League Cricket and in the midst of heavy downpour in the Diamond City of Surat, Khel Now Cricket had the opportunity to interview the southpaw.

Abdur Razzak spoke on Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to retire, Bangladesh’s recent success in Pakistan, pace arsenal of Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed, and much more.

Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interaction:

Q: How has life been post retirement? What has been going on in your life recently?

A: Not too bad and I’m currently serving as a national selector of Bangladesh, so yes associated with the game in another way.

Q: Abdur, so now you could see the ongoing test series between India and Bangladesh, which could  Shakib’s last test match. So what do you make of it?

A:  It’s his decision. He made his decision. Whatever he will take, we will respect the decision. Because a player like Shakib Al Hasan has all the rights to take his decision, so we all respect him.

Q: Bangladesh recently won against Pakistan in Pakistan in a test series. So, it’s been an effort for all these years. So, as a National Selector, how do you view it?

A: It’s a great thing to have a series like that against a team like Pakistan. So, yeah, it’s seriously a big thing for us like you know we we started to look forward from then, so yeah that was I’m sure it will change our cricket like cricket stats so yeah very happy about it.

Q: Bangladesh have got a leg spinner in Rishad Hossain after a very long time in their Arsenal. What are your views on him as a selector?

A: We were searching for a leg spinner for long time, we just wanted a leg spinner in our side, but not only the leg spinner, we wanted to see that he will do well, he will be an impactful player who will create impact against any other team. 

So I think we got one, we need to take care of him so nicely and handle him so nicely so that it will take no longer and other young leg spinners will be encouraged to do well and they will come to the team so that is the procedure and like you know we are very happy that you know at this moment if you ask me that we we have all the variations in our bowling side.  

Q: Speaking of bowling, your fast bowlers have been doing very well since the last two or three years. I’m sure Alan Donald has a role to play in that. Now in the first test as well, Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana played well, but they can’t play every game in every format. So as a selector how would you manage their workload?

A: Look, we definitely will talk about them to our trainer and physio regarding his workload, how we can manage them like you know as an impactful player. So yeah we need to talk with those who don’t want that type of bowler in all three formats. We definitely have to choose for him, maybe that format. We need to give them enough time for his recovery so that he can be a good player and he can stay long. 

Q: How are you enjoying your time playing in LLC? 

A:  It’s a beautiful arena to play, such a beautiful thing that you know we all are together so all old buddies are there, so yeah it’s a beautiful thing it’s very enjoyable for me.

Q:  So how do you prepare? I mean physically do you prepare for the tournament or just go as it is ?

A:  Look it is it is always difficult like you know when when you are playing like such a intent game, but that the thing is like you know is it takes some time to take rate to get to get ready for the for the intent game at this moment I’m feeling well but when I started it was like you know with cheeky and like you know physically draining.

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