The participation of Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das in the ongoing Indian Premier League is still hanging in balance as the Bangladesh Cricket Board expressed their reluctance to release them either before the one-off Test series against Ireland or when they will travel to England to take on the Irish side in a three-match ODI series, which is part of ICC Super League.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon brushed aside all the media speculations that suggested Shakib would be released before the Test match against Ireland, scheduled on April 4-8 and Liton would be at the helm of the longer-version side being the current vice-captain of the Test side.
“We will also release them accordingly and if there is any change in the decision, the BCB will let you know and I have been saying this all the time.
“We haven’t told you anything and now if you (media) have given them NOC, you can give but we have not given them anything. We have to tell the same thing and we are hearing that we have given them NOC but we don’t know anything,” he added.
The BCB earlier informed the BCCI that the duo will be available from April 8 to May 1 as they are not ready to release them before the Test series against Ireland and want them back before the Ireland ODIs, scheduled in England from May 9-15.
It is understood that the move can have an impact in the long run as a source close to the development confirmed to The Daily Sun on Friday that as far as their participation in the one-off Test series against Ireland is concerned Kolkata Knight Riders can be managed.
However, if they are not available during the ODI series against Ireland next month, in that case, the franchise might not have much motivation to get their service.
The source close to the development also pointed out that in numerous cases they have seen the board eventually agree to release their players for the biggest cash-rich tournament after putting up such a deadline in the past and the franchises also expected the same.
