'Shakib will be cautious about IPL'
Injury and Shakib Al Hasan seem to go hand-in-hand these days as the star all-rounder, who missed last year's Asia Cup due to a finger injury, was once again ruled out at the last moment for the crucial tour of New Zealand after he sustained yet another injury to his finger during the Bangladesh Premier League final.
Shakib is still recovering from that injury and it is unlikely that the left-armer will recover in time for the third and final Test against the hosts starting from March 16.
With the World Cup in England scheduled for to start on May 30, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan was asked whether the board would allow Shakib to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which concludes on May 12, keeping his injury concerns in mind.
"We have decided that Mustafizur Rahman won't be allowed to play in the IPL keeping the World Cup in mind. Talking about Shakib, firstly you have to consider what he wants because he is very interested in playing in the IPL. Secondly, if he does not play then I doubt whether the people of Bangladesh will watch the IPL because everyone follows it because of Shakib and Mustafizur," Hassan, who is currently in Christchurch with the Bangladesh team, told The Daily Star yesterday.
"Obviously there is a high chance of getting injured while playing in such tournaments and the worst part for me is that our players are not able to play for the national team due to injuries they sustain while playing in franchise leagues. I think he will remain cautious. What else can I say?"
Hassan also admitted that the cricketers did not get enough time to adapt to conditions in New Zealand owing to their tight schedule.
"We are also very concerned about it. With our current schedule there is very little chance of getting rest. I would say this is the first time we came to play a series without making any preparations to adapt to conditions as the players came here directly after finishing the BPL," he said.
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