Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his concerns over the availability of the overseas players and how it will impact the franchises in the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this year.
The IPL 2021 was suspended earlier last month after the COVID-19 cases emerged inside the bio-bubbles and now the BCCI announced to complete the remaining 31 matches in the UAE in September-October.
Read Also: IPL 2021: Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman will not return for second half of IPL 14
However, the availability of the overseas players for the second phase of the IPL 14 is a big challenge for the BCCI and IPL franchisees with England has already hinted at not allowing the players for the remainder of the season while the Australian board hasn’t yet commented on the matter.
To only raise the problems, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made it clear that they wouldn’t issue the NOCs to Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of the IPL 2021.
Reacting to the news, Chopra believes that it would be a huge blow to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as there is already question marks on Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins’ availability and now Shakib will also not available for the rescheduled T20 league in the UAE.
Chopra on his YouTube channel, “Earlier there were only question marks over the availability of Australian and English cricketers. Now Bangladesh has also said that only two of their players play, but both of them will not be given the NOC. A couple of franchises are going to get hurt very very badly.”
The commentator further added, “Shakib Al Hasan for all practical purposes is out. He will not be a part of the second half of the IPL. It is being heard that the other player, Mustafizur Rahman, will also not be allowed for the remaining IPL matches.”
He concluded, “If Shakib doesn't come, it will be a huge loss for Kolkata. Firstly, Pat Cummins has gone. For all practical purposes Eoin Morgan will also not be there and now Shakib Al Hasan, so quite a few of your main players are not there. So how will it work?”
