Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in press box

Journalists chasing cricketers (for interviews, match tickets and all that) is nothing new. But it does feel great when a top player — and that, too, a captain — visits the press box on a non-match day. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has played 37 of his 108 ODIs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, but the talented all-rounder had never been to the ‘huge glass structure’ at the venue.

His ‘wish’ came true when Bangladesh media manager and team spokesperson Rabeed Imam escorted him to the sprawling 124-seater media centre on Thursday.

Shakib was his cheerful self, posing for photographs. And for some strange reason, no one quite asked him about Bangladesh’s early exit from the tournament. Perhaps, Friday’s quarterfinal encounter between New Zealand and South Africa was on everyone’s mind!  “Shall I give you a laptop? Why don’t you be a journalist for a day?” said a scribe. “No, no thanks. I am fine,” a shy-looking Shakib replied.

Dressed casually in a short shirt, a pair of jeans and bathroom slippers — yes, you read right — Shakib was completely at home. So who will win today (Thursday), India or Australia? “Hmmm, India, for sure,” he said. And what about the final? “South Africa will be one of the teams. It’s very likely. I don’t know who’ll meet them, though,” he said.

Shakib revealed that he’d land in Kolkata (for the IPL) on April 14. “We have a three-match ODI series against Australia here,” he said, pointing to the magnificent ground from his ‘vantage’ point in the press box. “I will then join my teammates Kolkata Knight Riders,” he informed.

Soon after Shakib left, Imam informed the scribes that Shakib turned 24 on Thursday. Pity there was no cake!