All-rounder Shakib al Hasan claimed Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan is misinterpreting the cricketer’s decision over playing the Indian Premier League, and not Test cricket for Bangladesh.
Former national captain Shakib faced heavy criticism for his decision to play the upcoming edition of the IPL T20 in April, and not the two Tests for Bangladesh against hosts Sri Lanka.
BCB director Akram while speaking to the media on the issue emphasized that Shakib is not willing to further play the longest format of cricket for Bangladesh, which Shakib has now denied.
“This issue (of me willing to play Test cricket) is being raised over and over again. No one read the letter which I gave to the BCB. Nowhere in that letter did I mention that I do not want to play Test cricket. I have mentioned that I want to play IPL for my better preparation for the World T20 (scheduled for later this year),” said Shakib during a live online session with cricfrenzy.com Saturday.
“But Akram bhai has been saying I do not want to play Tests. He I think said this thing even (Friday) in an interview. I think he has not read the letter. They had taken the decision after discussion but I think he has not read the letter,” the 33-year old added.
“I think it should be clear to the people after this regarding me not wanting to play Test cricket. My decision would have been the same even if we had ODI cricket in the schedule. I wanted to play the IPL so that I can prepare better. I will play the World T20 in the same ground where I will play IPL now, and against the same players. I will get better advantage compared to any other player in Bangladesh team, which will eventually help the team,” Shakib explained.
Shakib al Hasan, the poster boy of Bangladesh cricket, has found himself in hot water once again for his decision to play the Indian Premier League skipping national duty.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Saturday, 20 February 2021
Following Shakib’s controversial decision, BCB president Nazmul Hasan had come to the media, informing the board’s decision to allow cricketers to choose to play limited number of franchise leagues skipping national duty.
Shakib thanked the BCB chief and the board for coming to such a decision.
“I want to thank Papon bhai (Nazmul Hasan) because I think he has taken a right decision. A player should have the freedom, and being backed by the president and the board will help in gaining confidence,” said Shakib during the live session.
“It increases the liability towards the national team. So I must thank the president for such a decision. But it is nowhere mentioned in my letter that I do not want to play Test cricket, which Akram bhai is claiming,” he added.
“Issues can be judged in different ways. So I do not expect that everyone will understand. I accept that one can be misunderstood and criticized, and I am not bothered about it. But I want those concerned to not give out wrong information out to the public. They should not encourage the general people to comment in a wrong way."
Shakib scripted a return to the IPL after a one-year ban with Kolkata Knight Riders signing him for INR 3.2 crores at the auction.
Shakib has previously played for the Knight Riders between 2011 and 2017, and was an integral member of their championship winning sides of 2012 and 2014.
