Shakib Al Hasan Confirmed To Play In IPL 2021 As BCB Upheld The All-Rounder's NOC

Finally the dispute between Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and its superstar cricketer Shakib Al Hasan seems to have come to a full stop as the board has given the nod for the all-rounder to play in the IPL 2021 just a few days after threatening to reconsider the No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Shakib Al Hasan was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction for INR 3.2 crores, and he has decided to play in the cash-rich league skipping over the Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled from April 21 to May 3 in Pallekele.

Last week Akram Khan, the BCB Cricket Operation chairman, had slammed the left-hander for saying that he was misinterpreted by the BCB regarding his decision to play in the IPL over the Test series in Sri Lanka. Akram Khan has said that the board may reconsider retracting Shakib’s NOC.

However, now, Ismail Haider, the BCB Director, has confirmed that the southpaw is given the license to play in the IPL.

“NOC will remain as it is and he can go and take part in IPL,” the BCB Director said as reported by Cricbuzz.

However, he isn’t allowed to play the entire tournament – Shakib’s NOC is valid up to May 18 and will be expected to return for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka that is supposed to start on May 20.

Shakib Al Hasan, who has won two titles with the KKR, is expected to leave Bangladesh on Sunday (March 28) and will undergo a mandatory 7-day quarantine period before being allowed to train ahead of the tournament. The Eoin Morgan-led side will begin its campaign on April 11th against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai.

Shakib Al Hasan hit out at the BCB

The 33-year-old had earlier said that the BCB has misinterpreted him on his decision to skip the Test series. Shakib points out that the T20 World Cup later this year is staged in India, and in a bid to prepare for the mega-event, he chose the IPL over the Test series.

“Those who keep saying that I don’t want to play Tests, I am sure they didn’t read my letter. I did not mention anywhere in my letter that I do not want to play Tests.

“I mentioned in my letter that I want to play in the IPL to prepare myself properly for World Cup (T20 World Cup) but despite that Akram bhai (BCB cricket operation chairman) has repeatedly said that I do not want to play Tests,” said Shakib Al Hasan in his letter.

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