Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s all-rounder stated that the BCB misinterpreted his letter for prioritizing the IPL and not playing the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however upheld all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the last few days, Shakib Al Hasan and BCB cricket operations chairman, Akram Khan, have been at loggerheads after the former chose to play in the upcoming IPL rather than the Test series against Sri Lanka which will start in the middle of IPL 2021.
Shakib Al Hasan Can Take Part In IPL According To NOC: Ismail Halder, BCB Director
In the IPL, Shakib Al Hasan would be representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after being picked for INR 3.2 crores in the auction back in February. The BCB even thought of reconsidering his NOC for the tournament after the miscommunication between the board and the all-rounder.
Ismail Haider, the BCB Director, confirmed Shakib’s participation in the cash-rich league, starting on April 9. “NOC will remain as it is and he can go and take part in IPL,” the BCB Director said, reported by Cricbuzz.
If reports are to be believed, Shakib Al Hasan is set to leave Bangladesh on March 28 to join his KKR teammates. The Magura-born has to undergo a seven-day quarantine period before joining his mates. The NOC is only valid until May 18 and he is expected to return for the Sri Lanka ODIs.
Shakib Al Hasan Wanted To Play In The IPL To Prepare For T20I World Cup
Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan cleared his stance, saying that he picked the IPL over the Tests in order to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. The veteran mentioned that he wanted to garner enough experience which he will share with his national teammates.
“Continuously people are talking about this Test. The people who are saying that I will no longer play the Test or don’t want to play the Test haven’t read my letter properly and that is it,” Shakib said.
“I did not mention anywhere in my letter that I do not want to play Tests. I mentioned in my letter that I want to play in the IPL to prepare myself properly for World Cup (T20 World Cup) but despite that Akram Bhai has repeatedly said that I do not want to play Tests,” he added.
“I heard that he said that I didn’t read his letter. Perhaps I misunderstood his letter. He wants to play Tests, from what he has said. In the next couple of days, we will discuss his NOC. If he has an interest, he will play Tests in Sri Lanka,” Akram Khan had said earlier.
Shakib Al Hasan returns to KKR after being bought for a price of INR 3.20 crores. The 2021 IPL is set to get underway on April 9. He missed the 2020 edition on account of being banned for not reporting corrupt offences. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tests start on April 21.
Shakib Al Hasan played 63 matches scoring 746 runs at an average of 21.31 with two 50s and a high score of unbeaten 66 and taken 59 wickets averaging 28. He was released by KKR and was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 season after representing Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017.