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‘I had huge discomfort’: Shakib Al Hasan reveals he played World Cup with blurred vision


The Bangladeshi cricketer and national team captain Shakib Al Hasan has recently disclosed a significant hindrance he faced during the ICC World Cup held in India. In a surprising revelation, Shakib shared that throughout the entire competition, he was plagued by a vision issue in his left eye. This eye problem might provide some context to his less than stellar performance during the tournament, as he only scored 186 runs in seven matches at a somewhat disappointing average of 26.57, especially when compared to his outstanding run in the 2019 World Cup where he amassed 606 runs and took 11 wickets.

This health concern seemed to compound the tough situation for the Bangladeshi team, as they were the first to exit the tournament, sparking significant critique from fans and sports commentators alike. However, in his conversation with Cricbuzz, Shakib illuminated the situation by admitting that the vision impairment brought on substantial discomfort and likely had an adverse impact on his capability to bat effectively. He described experiencing consistent difficulties with vision throughout the World Cup.

“The eye is considered the extension of the brain,” Shakib explained, referring to medical explanations of how stress can influence not only the brain but the eyes as well, thus affecting vision. Shakib had been prescribed eye drops for what was described as water in his cornea or retina, the exact cause of which was not definitively established, though stress appeared to be a likely factor. He noted a decrease in symptoms after the competition ended and the associated pressures subsided, hinting at the psychological toll such high-stakes tournaments can take on athletes.

On a different note, notwithstanding the challenging World Cup experience and rumors of his transition to politics, Shakib has confirmed his intention to remain an active cricketer for Bangladesh across all formats. He even withdrew his name from both the Pakistan Super League draft and the Indian Premier League auction, expressing his eagerness to contribute more to his national team. In addressing concerns about balancing cricket with possible political endeavors, Shakib confidently assured that time management would not be an issue and emphasized his straight-shooting relationship with the cricket board, suggesting that he does not foresee any complications arising from such dual commitments.

It’s worth mentioning that Shakib has been a linchpin for the Bangladeshi cricket team for many years, bringing both experience and skill to the playing field. Given his recent health revelation, fans may offer a reinvigorated support and understanding for his performances during the tournament. Moving forward, eyes will remain on this esteemed all-rounder as he continues to navigate the intersection of sports and potential political engagement, while still contributing to the game he loves.

In related news, recent sentiments shared by various cricketers and updates on upcoming matches indicate the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sport. As the cricketing community continues to extend support and anticipation builds for future matchups, the personal challenges faced by players like Shakib Al Hasan remind us of the human aspects that often lie behind professional sports’ competitive façade.