Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s re-entry into active cricket has been far from smooth. After serving a lengthy ban, he was part of the squad which lost the Test series against West Indies.
Soon after news came that the all-rounder has asked Bangladesh Cricket Board for an extended stay in Indian Premier League at the expense of scheduled Test series against Sri Lanka.
On Sunday, Hasan accused the BCB of misrepresenting his decision to play in the IPL.
Hasan said that with Bangladesh not in contention in the World Test Championship, it was more logical for him to play in the IPL and prepare for the T20 World Cup.
The next T20 World Cup is slated to be held in India later this year.
"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," Hasan said who will be seen in action for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Shakib said in his letter to the BCB, that he mentioned about his plans to prepare himself better for the T20 World Cup.
"People are continuously talking about this (skipping the Test series against Sri Lanka). Those who are saying that I will no longer play Test cricket haven't read my letter properly.
"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 but despite that Akram Bhai (BCB cricket operation chairman) has repeatedly said that I do not want to play Tests," he said.
With the T20 World Cup slated for October, Shakib said there are many advantages of playing in the IPL this time.
"The ground where I will play IPL now will be the ground where I will play the World Cup match after four months. The players with whom I will play the IPL will be the players against whom I will play in the World Cup.
"For this reason, I will get more advantages than anyone else from Bangladesh, and it will also help me to share my experiences with the team that I will gain by playing in the IPL," he said. (with inputs from PTI)
