BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon confirmed ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s unavailability in Sri Lanka tour when confusion surfaced regarding the matter.
The Tigers will play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka later this month. Along with Shakib, Liton Das will also miss the series while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s participation in the series is in limbo if the BCB president’s version is taken into consideration.
According to the BCB chief, Shakib who enjoyed a tremendous World Cup amid Bangladesh’s disappointing outing, scoring 600 runs and taking 11 wickets, will perform Hajj. Shakib’s matter created confusion after national team selection panel said that they are yet to get any formal application for his leave from the tour. Bangladesh’s three ODIs in Sri Lanka are scheduled on July 26, 28 and 31 and all the matches will be held in Colombo.
Along with Shakib Al Hasan, Papon said Liton Das will also miss the series as he will get married in last week of July, while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the captain of the side has injury issue. Mashrafe’s retirement issue also came to the fore following his performance in the World Cup although the captain is yet to make it clear. Papon earlier said that they are planning to give Mashrafe a fitting farewell from the cricket, organizing a tournament in the country.
“I heard Mashrafe is not fit though he has not the MRI. Shakib is going for Hajj. He won’t be available in the next series. Liton asked for leave for his wedding. This three have good chances of not being available for the next series [against Sri Lanka],” Papon told the reporters in London on Saturday.
“Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad too have some fitness problem, maybe Rubel Hossain too. We have to see if they can get better in the meantime,” he added.
Bangladesh is touring Sri Lanka only after getting the security clearance. The series was thrown into doubt following the April 21 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka churches and hotels that killed more than 250 people.
