All-rounder Shakib al Hasan claimed Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan is misinterpreting the cricketer’s decision over playing the Indian Premier League, and not Test cricket for Bangladesh.
Former national captain Shakib faced heavy criticism for his decision to play the upcoming edition of the IPL T20 in April, and not the two Tests for Bangladesh against hosts Sri Lanka.
BCB director Akram while speaking to the media on the issue emphasized that Shakib is not willing to further play the longest format of cricket for Bangladesh, which Shakib has now denied.
“This issue (of me willing to play Test cricket) is being raised over and over again. No one read the letter which I gave to the BCB. Nowhere in that letter did I mention that I do not want to play Test cricket. I have mentioned that I want to play IPL for my better preparation for the World T20,” said Shakib during a live online session with cricfrenzy.com Saturday.
“But Akram bhai has been saying I do not want to play Tests. He said this thing even (Friday) in an interview. I think he has not read the letter. They had taken the decision after discussion,” the 33-year old added.
“I think it should be clear to the people after this regarding me not wanting to play Test cricket. My decision would have been the same even if we had ODI cricket in the schedule. I wanted to play the IPL so that I can prepare better. I will play the World T20 in the same ground where I will play IPL now, and against the same players. I will get better advantage compared to any other player in Bangladesh team, which will eventually help the team,” Shakib explained.
Following Shakib’s controversial decision, BCB president Nazmul Hasan had come to the media, informing the board’s decision to allow cricketers to choose to play limited number of franchise leagues skipping national duty. Shakib thanked the BCB chief and the board for coming to such a decision.
“I want to thank Papon bhai (Nazmul Hasan) because I think he has taken a right decision. A player should have the freedom, and being backed by the president and the board will help in gaining confidence,” said Shakib during the live session.
“It increases the liability towards the national team. So, I must thank the president for such a decision. But it is nowhere mentioned in my letter that I do not want to play Test cricket, which Akram bhai is claiming,” he added.
“Issues can be judged in different ways. So, I do not expect that everyone will understand. I accept that one can be misunderstood and criticized, and I am not bothered about it. But I want those concerned to not give out wrong information out to the public. They should not encourage the general people to comment in a wrong way.”
Shakib believes he would emerge as the best Bangladesh Cricket Board president in history if ever given the opportunity.
“I do not think anyone else in Bangladesh would be able to do the level of work which I can if I ever get to play a role in BCB. I would of course like to grab the opportunity to become a BCB president after my retirement from cricket and work for cricket,” said Shakib during the live session when queried if he would ever want to be BCB president.
Shakib further claimed that he would be the best ever BCB chief.
“I know well that I would be the best president in BCB history, and I strongly believe this is possible for me,” Shakib said.
Shakib currently on leave is missing out on Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand for the three ODIs and as many T20s.
The 33-year old would miss Bangladesh’s next series too, two Tests against hosts Sri Lanka in April, as he has chosen to play the Indian Premier League T20 over national duty.
