Dhaka: Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan will opt out of the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in April to make himself available for Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the Bangladesh star will play three-match ODI series depending on his fitness.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operation chairman Akram Khan confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Thursday (February 18) adding that the board has granted Shakib leave during next month’s Test series against Sri Lanka so he can take part in the IPL.
“He (Shakib) had recently given us a letter [asking] to skip the Test series against Sri Lanka as he wanted to take part in the IPL,” Akram said. “Shakib wants to play T20s at the moment. He doesn’t want to play Tests. He has asked for a leave for the IPL. We also don’t want to force someone who doesn’t want to play Tests, which is why the board has decided to grant him the leave,” Khan added.
Shakib returned to the IPL after a one-year ban with Kolkata Knight Riders signing him for INR 3.2 crores in IPL 2021 auction. He has played earlier played seven seasons for KKR, winning the trophy twice – 2012 and 2014.
