Less than a day after Shakib Al Hasan’s accusations that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) misinterpreted his preference to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) over Sri Lanka Tests, the board hinted that it might reconsider the No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
After a meeting at BCB President Nazmul Hassan’s residence, Akram Khan, the BCB Cricket Operations Chairman, stated that discussions about Shakib’s NOC would be held soon.
In an interview on Friday, Shakib accused BCB (namely Akram Khan) of misrepresenting his decision to skip the Test series in Sri Lanka.
A report from ESPNCricinfo quoted Akram Khan responding to Shakib’s claims.
“I heard that he said that I didn’t read his letter. Perhaps I misunderstood his letter. He wants to play Tests, from what he has said. In the next couple of days, we will discuss about his NOC. If he has an interest, he will play Tests in Sri Lanka. We will decide about the rest after hearing the whole interview,” Akram Khan said.
Akram Khan, a former Bangladesh captain, confirmed that he read Shakib’s letter where it was stated that “he wants to play the IPL instead of the Test series in Sri Lanka.”
Expressing his disappointment on Friday, Shakib clarified that he did not mention his desire to skip the Sri Lanka Test series but wanted to play in the IPL to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India.
Shakib, who was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 3.2 crore in the IPL auction, stated:
“Those who keep saying that I don’t want to play Tests, I am sure they didn’t read my letter. I didn’t mention anywhere in my letter to the BCB that I don’t want to play Tests. I wrote that I want to play the IPL to prepare myself for the World Cup.
