Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Shujon talked to the media today and Shakib Al Hasan was the main focus of the discussion. Shakib, who is currently overseas, said on Saturday before leaving the country that he did not enjoy playing the series against Afghanistan and was not mentally or physically ready to play the upcoming series against South Africa.

Before the IPL auctions, Shakib was excused from playing the South Africa Tests, slated to be played from March 31. After he remained unsold in IPL, BCB president Nazmul Hassan asked the all-rounder to play the Tests in South Africa and he agreed. Later Shakib was named in both the ODI and Test teams for the upcoming tour.

Was there a certain disappointment after the IPL snub? Mahmud had to field questions regarding Shakib's disappointment or lack of enjoyment in the recent series. The team director said that he was surprised at Shakib not finding a team in the IPL.

"Not only Shakib, I was expecting that Shakib will be sold at a good value this time. The form he was in and given the fact that there are more teams in the IPL… I am very surprised that he wasn't taken. It's not just me but for our country too it's a shame since we say he's the best all-rounder," he said.

Shakib played for Fortune Barishal in the BPL and had a record five player-of-the-match awards on the trot, performing well with the bat and ball. Mahmud, who was Barishal's coach in the BPL, had asked Shakib if the IPL snub had affected him.

"Maybe Shakib was hurt too. Although he said 'no Shujon bhai, maybe it didn't hurt that much'. But it can happen that there is something in the corner of his mind. He was training well and everything was there. It can happen that when you harbour hopes of playing in a tournament like IPL, you can be sad. But I think he's professional and he will comeback definitely. I wasn't happy with his performance against Afghanistan and he didn't play anywhere close to his abilities. But I believe Shakib will comeback very very strongly," he said.

Mahmud felt that it was normal for a player to talk about exhaustion or not being ready to play. "When Shakib comes back, he will obviously talk to the board. If he says he wants to play then that's good for us, if he says no then we will have to think along that line but it's not a big deal," he said.