Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to choose IPL over national duty has left Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) “disappointed” and prompted the BCB to add new clauses in the players’ central contracts to avoid a similar situation in the future.
Last week, Kolkata Knight Riders bought Shakib for INR 3.20 crores ($441,940) for the upcoming 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, which is likely to begin in mid-April – which will clash with Bangladesh’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in April.
However, the premier all-rounder decided to play the three-match ODI series but requested BCB to allow him to miss the home Test series against Sri Lanka, which the board reluctantly granted, in order to be available for the KKR for the entire IPL 14 in India.
BCB isn’t happy with Shakib’s decision to miss the Test series, which is part of the ICC Test Championship, to play in the IPL and now planning to add new clauses to the annual contract to ensure the players commit themselves to play for Bangladesh.
In light of Shakib’s decision of skipping national duty for IPL, BCB chief Nazmul Hassan has revealed that the BCB will ask Bangladesh players to specify their availability in their annual contracts this year.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Nazmul said: “We will enter into 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.”
He further added, “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 BCB chief further said they could stop Shakib but they didn't want to hold back a player if he didn't want to represent the national team for IPL.
He continued, “Couldn’t we have stopped Shakib from going (to the IPL)? He may have played but we don’t want that.”
Nazmul signed off, “We want only those to play, who really love the game. We have tried to keep him interested. When Shakib had declined to play Tests three years ago, we made him the captain.”
(With PTI Inputs)
