Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was reluctant to tour South Africa despite being named in the squad. 

He, however, changed his mind,  went to South Africa and joined the team after rounds of drama.  

Ahead of the first ODI of the series, Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said Shakib will play all the matches. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan has earlier said that Shakib may not play all the matches as his mental condition is not good and, therefore, he might skip one or two matches. 

Read: Bangladesh eager to change history in South Africa: Tamim

“I know nothing about it,” Tamim said. “What I know is Shakib is here to play all the matches for Bangladesh. We have had a normal cricketing discussion- how we can play good cricket and things like that. He is eager to take to the field.”

During the Afghanistan series at home, Nazmul had said that Shakib would tour South Africa. The all-rounder also was included in the squads for both ODIs and Tests. 

But a few days before travelling to South Africa, Shakib said he is not in a good mental situation to play international cricket. He also said that he is going to take a break from cricket. Following that, Jalal Yunus, the chairman of the cricket operation department of BCB said the board has rested Shakib for two months. 

Read: “Underdogs” Bangladesh aim to create history in South Africa

In a dramatic move, the board hosted a press conference with Shakib and said the all-rounder is going to play in South Africa. In that press conference, Nazmul had mentioned that Shakib may skip one or two matches during this tour. 

After the three-match ODI series, Bangladesh and South Africa will take on each other in a two-match Test series as well.