Veteran Bangladesh cricketer Shakib-al-Hasan has chosen to sacrifice franchise cricket in order to focus on his career with the national team. Ahead of the IPL 2024 auctions, the seasoned all-rounder revealed that he had not registered his name for IPL 2024 and had also withdrawn his name from the PSL draft. Shakib was last seen as a part of the Tigers’ World Cup 2023 campaign, where he left the tournament in the league stage owing to an injury.
Shakib to ‘sacrifice’ IPL, PSL for Bangaldesh team
As per ICC, the all-rounder revealed his desire to play cricket for a long time, adding that he, however, did not know what was in store for the future. He vowed to devote the time given to franchise cricket for the national side instead.
“I did not give my name in IPL and so there a window will be opened and when my manager gave my name in PSL I told him to withdraw it and my name is not there in PSL so my plan is to give all this time to national team because I will sacrifice the franchise tournament that I used to play,” Shakib said.
“I am playing in three formats and hope that I can continue that but no one knows about (the) future and what is in store but till now I have the desire to play cricket for a long time.”
When will Shakib return?
After a poor performance in the World Cup 2023, Bangladesh managed to draw a three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. While Shakib was all set to feature in the ODI and T20 series, he was advised to skip the tour and continue his rehabilitation from injury.
“I was hoping that I will be going to New Zealand for the ODI and T20I series as now the team is departing for the tour and I was planning in that way because I felt I will be ok by four weeks,” Shakib added.
“But I have consulted a doctor two days back and he asked me to wait as I will need another two weeks and later start the rehabilitation.
“It is taking more time than expected as it will need six weeks and the next option is that after doing the rehabilitation and gaining fitness I don’t see any other way before BPL and there is election and so I will be busy so I will return to competitive cricket through BPL and can play from the start of BPL by getting full fitness.”
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