Imrul Kayes hits back after Sehwag’s harsh comment on Shakib

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes hit back after Indian legend Virender Sehwag lashed out at Shakib Al Hasan after Tigers’ narrow defeat against South Africa yesterday (June 10).

Sehwag had some harsh comments on Shakib following his dismissal at a crunch point his side's chase yesterday.

Shakib made three in the run chase of 114 on Monday in New York, falling to a pull shot against Anrich Nortje. On a deck where the side needed a senior player to bat deep, Shakib’s dismissal angry Sehwag, who said it was time for the all-rounder to hang up his boots in the format.

“I knew in the last World Cup that his time is up in the T20I format. The train is well past the platform. He doesn’t have impressive stats. He is a senior player, and has been a former player - his numbers should embarrass him. He should say, ‘I am retiring from the T20I format’ he said on Cricbuzz.

The left-hander averages 5.50 in this T20 World Cup, making 11 runs in two games at a strike rate of 61.11. He did not fare well in the last two editions either. In 2021, Shakib averaged 21.83 with the bat, which fell to 8.80 a year later. He also struck at 95.65 in 2022.

“I fell, Shakib’s time was up long ago. If they have brought him for experience, it’s not showing results. Spend some time on this wicket. You are not Matthew Hayden or Adam Gilchrist that you are pulling. You are from Bangladesh, so play accordingly. The hook and pull isn’t your shot, then why play it?” he added.

Kayes did not like Sehwag's comment as in an exclusive interview with Cricfrenzy, he said that Sehwag himself did not receive respect throughout his career, and therefore, he does not know how to respect other cricketers. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid never make such comments, so Sehwag should learn from them.

"I don't know how a legendary cricketer like him thinks when he says such things. You won't see Sachin-Dravid talking like this because they give that respect to players. Since he didn't get that respect in his career, he doesn't know how to give that respect to other players." Imrul said,

Sehwag has made negative comments about Bangladesh several times before. Once, during a tour of Bangladesh, he said in a press conference that Bangladeshi bowlers are not capable of taking 20 Indian wickets.

Reminding of that incident, Imrul said, "Different countries' cricketers evaluate other countries' cricketers differently. Virender Sehwag has made such comments throughout his career. He has also made such comments about our country, saying we don't have an environment suitable for cricket, and that we don't have the ability to take 20 wickets in Test cricket. But we did take those wickets."

Shakib is still considered one of the best cricketers in the world, with many records to his name. Imrul also commented that Shakib did not become Shakib in one day, and he should be given due respect.

Praising Shakib, he said, "Shakib did not become Shakib Al Hasan in one or two days. If you look at his career, you will see many achievements. He has been the number one all-rounder in all three formats for a long time. I think such cricketers should be spoken about with respect."