Shakib picks rest over World XI

The International Cricket Council website yesterday revealed that ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the World XI squad citing personal reasons.

Shakib confirmed the news to The Daily Star over phone yesterday, saying that he is skipping the match because he needed rest as there is lot of cricket coming up with the Afghanistan and West Indies series looming on the horizon.

"As there's too much cricket ahead, and after completing my IPL stint [for Sunrisers Hyderabad], I have decided to take rest and skip the World XI match," Shakib said about the match scheduled to be held at Lord's on May 31 between a World XI and a West Indies."

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal is however still set to feature in the match as the lone star from Bangladesh.

The cricket match is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean which were damaged due to hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

Nepal wrist-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been added to the squad while ICC will announce Shakib's replacement in due time.

The Tigers will travel to Dehradun on May 29 for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, before embarking on the tour of West Indies in late June. Tamim is expected to join the squad in Dehradun after the World XI match.