Blurred Vision Impacts Shakib Al Hasan's Batting in the 2023 World Cup

The 2023 World Cup left many in Bangladesh wondering what went wrong with Shakib Al Hasan's batting performance. Following their underwhelming display in the tournament, Shakib has now disclosed to Cricbuzz that he experienced significant discomfort due to blurred vision caused by stress-related issues throughout the World Cup.

Shakib, who showcased exceptional all-round skills in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, accumulating 606 runs and taking 11 wickets, was expected to lead the charge in the 2023 edition held in India. However, the ODI skipper's batting during the tournament was subpar, managing only 186 runs in seven matches with an average of 26.57.

Despite making headlines after returning to Bangladesh midway through the tournament to practice with his childhood mentor Nazmul Abedin, the left-hander struggled with short deliveries during the World Cup. At times, his batting stance appeared different from his usual style, indicating the challenges he faced.

It was revealed by Cricbuzz that Shakib had blurred vision in one side of his left eye due to stress, significantly impacting his batting ability. "It was not restricted to one or two matches in the World Cup; rather, I dealt with it throughout the entire tournament," Shakib told Cricbuzz on December 24th in his hometown of Magura, where he is currently engaged in a parliamentary election campaign.

He also acknowledged the possibility that he played with impaired vision, relying on assumptions about the path of the incoming ball. "I experienced immense discomfort while facing the ball," he explained.

According to medical experts, the eye is considered an extension of the brain. Therefore, when stress affects the brain, it can also impact the eyes and the vascular system. The release of stress hormones can directly affect vision, potentially leading to conditions such as hypertensive retinopathy, characterized by double vision, as well as blurred or reduced vision. Chronic stress elevates the risk of high blood pressure, thickens blood vessels, and restricts blood flow to the retina.

"When I visited the doctor, they diagnosed water in my cornea or retina and prescribed drops to alleviate the condition, while also advising me to reduce stress. I am uncertain whether this was the sole cause of my eye problem. However, when I sought medical advice again in America after the World Cup, stress was not a factor. I explained to the doctor that I was no longer participating in the World Cup, thus naturally reducing stress levels," Shakib shared.

Although Shakib does not attribute his excessive stress solely to captaincy, he believes that having more time with the ODI team earlier would have been advantageous. "I don't consider captaincy as an excuse for stress. However, if I had assumed the captaincy earlier, it would have been easier as I would have had the time to prepare and align everything for the World Cup," he expressed.

He also highlighted the challenges he faced as captain, noting that the team did not meet his expectations in terms of readiness and playing philosophy. Shakib emphasized that the team's struggles were not limited to the World Cup, but rather extended throughout the year.

Bangladesh, after suffering six consecutive defeats, was the first team to be eliminated from the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The team secured only two victories out of nine matches, defeating Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

In the midst of his political career, Shakib reassured that he has no intention of bidding farewell to cricket. He anticipates no issues with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) despite his political involvement, citing the case of former captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who also entered politics.

"I believe cricket and politics can be managed simultaneously. I have experience balancing my time in the past, and I am confident that I can continue doing so. Moreover, I don't anticipate any misunderstandings with the board because I am straightforward," Shakib affirmed.