Former India batter Virender Sehwag has stepped forward to critique veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan following his poor performance against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Shakib’s struggles were evident as he managed to score only three runs during the run chase, contributing to Bangladesh’s narrow four-run defeat in New York on Monday, June 10. This recent failure adds to a string of difficulties for Shakib over the past few months.

Shakib’s troubles began with an injury that forced him to withdraw from the latter stages of the ODI World Cup 2023. He also relinquished his captaincy and faced additional challenges before making his return in the home series against Zimbabwe.

Virender Sehwag, reflecting on Shakib’s performance, emphasized that as an experienced player, Shakib should have taken on a more responsible role. Sehwag expected Shakib to bring stability to the team, especially in high-pressure situations.

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“If he was included in the squad for his experience, we certainly didn’t see it on display. He should spend more time at the crease. He’s not Hayden or Gilchrist who can play powerful shots off short balls at will; he needs to play to his strengths. When you’re unable to play hooks or pulls effectively, focus on the strokes you know well,” Virender Sehwag remarked during an interview with Cricbuzz.

Adding to the criticism, former India cricketer Parthiv Patel highlighted the expectations placed on Shakib, given his long-standing presence in the T20 World Cup since its inception. Patel pointed out that Shakib is a role model for the younger players in the Bangladesh team, especially when the team faces tough situations.

“There are expectations on Shakib, and that is justified because he has been playing since the first World Cup. When the team is in trouble, the young players naturally look up to him. After losing the series to the USA, Shakib called it a wake-up call. But if you still need wake-up calls after playing for 15 years, it raises questions about how much he has been ‘snoozing’,” Parthiv Patel commented.

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Both Sehwag and Patel’s comments underline the frustration with Shakib’s recent form and the crucial need for experienced players to step up, especially during pivotal moments in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Their critiques reflect a broader concern about the impact of leadership and experience on team performance.