Shakib Al Hasan set to miss Sri Lanka Tests to play in IPL 2021

Shakib Al Hasan is set to miss Bangladesh’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in April, in order to play the entire 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL). In the IPL auction on Thursday, February 19, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked up the Magura-born all-rounder at a price of INR 3.20 crores from his base price of INR 2 crore.

Akram Khan, the chairman of cricket operations in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), confirmed that Shakib sent a letter to the board, asking for permission to play in the IPL. Shakib, however, is set to play in the three-ODI series before the Tests, provided he proves his fitness.

“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. We have given him the permission as there is no point pushing someone who is not interested to play (Test for the national team),” Akram was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

Shakib Al Hasan returns to the IPL

Shakib wasn’t a part of the 2020 IPL in the United Aram Emirates (UAE) after the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned him for not reporting corrupt approaches from bookies.

From 2011 to 2017, he plied his trade for the Knights and was also their part in title-winning campaigns in 2012 and 2014 respectively. In 2018 and 2019, he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Shakib made his comeback in November while playing for Gemcon Khulna in the inaugural Bangabandhu T20 Cup. He didn’t play the final and headed back to the USA for family matters. Back in January, he made his comeback to international cricket against the West Indies.

He played the opening Test in Chattogram after which he missed the Mirpur Test. Earlier, he also asked for paternity leave from Bangladesh’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

“We have received a letter from him to grant leave during the tour of New Zealand as he wants to be with his wife (in the USA). We are yet to take a decision in this regard,” Akram said earlier during an interview with Cricbuzz.