Shakib Al-Hasan And Mustafizur Rahman Likely To Leave IPL Early Due To Bangladesh's New Quarantine Rules

The Bangladeshi duo of all-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan [Kolkata Knight Riders] and pacer Mustafizur Rahman [Rajasthan Royals] might return from the 14th season of the Indian Premier League sooner than planned owing to the new quarantine rules imposed by the health ministry, Nizamuddin Chowdhary, the Bangladesh Cricket Board chief, said on Monday.

According to the new quarantine policy, which came into effect on May 01, travellers from India and South Africa will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine before resuming work in the country.

Earlier, the BCB managed to get the quarantine requirements reduced for their foreign coaching staff but given the intensity of the second wave that India is going through currently, the board may not able to get the relaxations, should they seek the same from the Directorate General of Health Services.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Team, which is set to return from Sri Lanka following the completion of the two-match Test series is likely to be exempted from the quarantine requirement.

Initially, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman were slated to return to Bangladesh on May 19 and join the team for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka [starting May 23] following a three-day quarantine

”We have asked them (Shakib and Mustafizur) to let us know what is their plan for the next 15 days while we have also asked the health ministry to know what kind of quarantine protocol the two players will need to follow,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told Cricbuzz on Monday.

”If the health ministry suggests that they will have to follow seven or 14 days quarantine, they will have to return earlier than scheduled from IPL. But before that, we have to know what rules will be in place for them. We are bound by the Bangladesh Government rules, and will take decisions according to the guideline provided by the government.” said Chowdhary.

With head coach Russell Domingo and fielding coach Ryan Cook expected to return to South Africa and later join the team for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, BCB is also looking to find out what Covid protocols need to be followed by travellers coming from South Africa.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals Players And Support Staff Asked To Quarantine