BANGLADESH star Shakib Al-Hasan has requested a six-month break from Test cricket. Shakib played a starring role in his country’s recent 1-1 draw with Australia, taking 10 wickets and scoring 89 runs as the Tigers secured a historic win over Steve Smith’s side in Dhaka.

The victory was Bangladesh’s first in the longest format against Australia.
Shakib is the top-ranked all-rounder in all formats of cricket and has become a star in the Tigers’ continued emergence as a credible force, though his success has also drawn attention from lucrative Twenty20 leagues across the world.
And with Bangladesh facing Test tours to South Africa and the West Indies, as well as a two-match series with Sri Lanka at home all before the Indian Premier League starts in April, Shakib may be wary of burnout.
“Shakib has submitted a letter to the BCB asking for a six-month break from Test cricket,” Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus is quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
Shakib has scored 3 594 runs at 40.38 in Tests, while taking 188 wickets at an average of 32.27. (Omnisport.com)