Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named in the squad for the Test tour of New Zealand despite informing the Bangladesh Cricket Board that he is not quite willing to make the trip.
Shakib has been picked for the two-match Test series scheduled in January even as he has confirmed his unwillingness to not be there on tour against the Kiwis.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan cleared the air on the matter, stating that the player has only “unofficially” informed the board of his unavailability and needs to communicate formally in this regard and explain exactly why he doesn’t want to play the Tests in New Zealand.
“He hasn’t informed us officially. He told us unofficially. We told him to inform us officially. He has to give a reason. Shakib contributes with either bat or ball. He strengthens the team combination. There’s no substitute for Shakib,”
Hassan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Bangladesh will be playing their next set of Tests in the new cycle of the World Test Championship in New Zealand, a country where they’ve never won a Test and lost all of their previous nine outings. Thus, the eagerness on BCB’s part to have their best player in Shakib available.
Shakib missed the recent home Test series versus Pakistan as well because of an injury that had cut short his T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman. The great allrounder has featured in 58 Tests for Bangladesh with an exceptional record, making him one of the finest allrounders in the game.
The left-hand batter has scored 3,933 runs at an average of 39.33 while also taking 215 wickets at 31.06 per piece with his clever left-arm spin.
The two-Test series against New Zealand kickstarts on New Year’s Day in Mount Maunganui, before the second Test is held in Christchurch from January 9.
