Can Shakib reignite the spark in Harare?

In his illustrious international career spanning 15 years, there were rarely any instances when doubt could be casted over Shakib Al Hasan's ability to perform, in any department of the game.

And expectations from Shakib rocketed sky-high ever since the star cricketer returned to international cricket, after serving the one-year ban by the International Cricket Council, in October 2020.

However, following the much awaited comeback to competitive cricket, the 34-year-old somehow just could not rediscover his usual mojo, especially with the bat, and genuinely struggled to live up to his standards. And to make matters worse, his off-field antics have also contributed in keeping him in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

Although it is still early days as the stellar all-rounder, since returning from the ban, has played no more than one Test match against West Indies, where he even scored a half-century.

The concerns over his game, since his comeback, have likely surfaced mainly due to his lack of form in the limited-overs format where he scored a mere fifty in six ODIs coupled with a poor run of form in the domestic circuit. Shakib's top score in eight games of the recently concluded Dhaka Premier League T20 competition was- an unimposing 37 runs.

Thus, all eyes will once again be on this star cricketer during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe where Shakib seems determined to make an impact with the bat, having quick-fired a seventy in the two-day warm-up game.

"As I have said previously, Shakib needed to return to international cricket through Test cricket since he was making a comeback after a big gap. When you return to cricket after such a pause and not batting well afterwards, your game is bound to be questioned," said his childhood mentor and prominent cricket coach Nazmul Abedin Fahim.

The Tigers will kick off the series with a lone Test match against the host from July 7. According to Fahim, it will be better for Shakib to patiently utilize his time in the middle and be in control over his decision-making process with the bat and allow Test cricket to inevitably let him bat at his desired pace.

"I think, Test format presents an opportunity to Shakib but I have observed that he was in an aggressive mood with the bat during the warm-up game. Maybe it's his current emotional state which is forcing him to prove to himself that he is still good enough but that's how some people may end up expressing themselves," Fahim added. "I am counting on this Test match and no matter how he plays overall, I want him to stay at the crease as long as possible against Zimbabwe."

The high standards which Shakib has set over the years have certainly made him a victim of his own success. And it remains to be seen if the Harare Sports Club creates the stage where the champion cricketer finally rekindles his old form.