BCB unhappy with Shakib Al Hasan for giving preference to IPL 2021 instead of national duty

Shakib Al Hasan is all set to make a comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he was picked by franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering amount of INR 3.2 crore during the IPL auction hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the upcoming 2021 edition of the T20 Championship on February 18 in Chennai. The 33-year-old had given the IPL 2020 a miss due to his one-year suspension.

Ahead of IPL 2021, Shakib expressed his desire of playing the whole Indian league instead of leaving the tournament mid-way for international commitments to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Ahead of IPL 2021, Shakib expressed his desire of playing the whole Indian league instead of leaving the tournament mid-way for international commitments to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to play a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in April. The series, part of the ICC Test Championship, is expected to clash with IPL 2021.

Before the auction, the BCCI had clearly informed all the eight franchises regarding the unavailability of Bangladesh cricketers towards the end of IPL 2021. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board seems unhappy with Shakib’s decision of giving more priority to franchise cricket than the national team. To not encounter such situations in the future, BCB has decided to enter a contract where the players will have to strictly inform their priorities to the authorities.

BCB to make amendments in the central contracts of Bangladesh cricketers

Giving his view on Bangladesh players skipping national duty for IPL, the BCB president Nazmul Hassan said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “We will enter into a new contact with the players (for 2021). It will be mentioned clearly who wants to play which format. They have to inform us. If they have any other engagement, they have to be clear about their availability. It is very open. Previously, it depended on individuals but now we are confirming it in writing, so that nobody can say that they haven’t been allowed or we kept them forcefully.”

The president further added that though they have the power of stopping Shakib from playing for the Bangladesh team instead of the IPL, they won’t do so as the cricket board believes in giving opportunities to the players who really love the game and wish to represent their nation without any force. Apart from the all-rounder, Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman will also feature in the T20 Championship as he was picked by Rajasthan Royals.