Shakib Al Hasan Clarifies Reason to Chose IPL Over Tests

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh all-rounder, cleared his stance over playing in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League over the Test series against Sri Lanka. The star all-rounder has stated that playing in the IPL would help him prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year.

Sri Lanka Cricket, on Friday, confirmed the dates for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting from April 21. Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan will miss out the Test due to his IPL commitments. Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board gave him a NOC to participate in the 14th edition of the marquee T20 league.

“These two Tests are our last matches in the World Test Championship so it is not as if we are going to play the final,” Shakib told Cricfrenzy.

“We are at the very bottom of the points table. I don’t think it makes much of a difference.

“The other major reason is that the World Cup T20 is in India later this year. It is a very important tournament where we have much to achieve. There isn’t much to achieve in these two Tests. I think it is a better option that I prepare myself for something bigger.”

I Did Not Mention Anywhere in My Letter That I Do Not Want to Play Tests: Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib said in his letter to the BCB, that he mentioned about his plans to prepare himself better for the T20 World Cup.

“Continuously people are talking about this Test (skipping the series against Sri Lanka). 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 was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

According to Shakib, his letter to the board has been misinterpreted by BCB cricket operation chairman Akram Khan.

“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 (BCB cricket operation chairman) has repeatedly said that I do not want to play Tests,” he said.

“Maybe he also said this in an interview yesterday. I guess he didn’t really read my letter properly. And whatever decisions they have taken, I believe that they have taken it after discussing among themselves,” he said.

Hasan also thanked Nazmul Hasan Papon, the BCB chairman, for granting him permission to play in the IPL ahead of the Test series. Shakib is currently on paternity leave and a few days back he became father to a baby boy with his wife Umme Ahmed Shishir.

“I want to thank Papon Bhai (Nazmul Hasan) as I believe he has made the right decision, and I think that a player should have the liberty. I believe the cricketer’s confidence increases if the board or BCB president backs up a player like this. And when a player represents the national team, the responsibility to do something good for the team also increases. We have to thank Papon Bhai for making the right decision from his place. However, Akram Bhai repeatedly said that I do not want to play Tests, which I have not mentioned anywhere in my letter,” he added.