Image Credit- AFP
The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Thursday
that Shakib al Hasan will not play in the forthcoming two-match Test series
against Sri Lanka (February 22).
Shakib was left off of the BCB’s roster for the forthcoming white-ball series
against Sri Lanka, and the southpaw will also be unavailable for the two-match
Test series, which is a part of the third cycle of the ICC World Test
Championship, according to Jalal Yunus, chairman of the BCB’s cricket
operations.
The Bangladesh Premier League began with Shakib having
trouble with his batting because of an eye issue, but with time, he began to
perform well at the bat, amassing 249 runs in 11 matches despite only managing
four runs in the first three innings.
“He (Shakib) wanted a break from the entire
series against Sri Lanka as he didn’t want to take part in international
cricket. I think his eyes are fine at the moment but I feel he wants a break so
that he can come back to international cricket fully fit,” Yunus told
The three-match T20I series opener is set for March 4
at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The series versus Sri Lanka
consists of three T20 Internationals, three ODIs, and two Tests.
In order to gain additional experience in the middle of the bat as part of his
preparation for international cricket, Shakib may play for Sheikh Jamal
Dhanmondi Club in the upcoming Dhaka Premier League, the nation’s traditional
List A competition. DPL is expected to begin on March 9.