Shakib Al Hasan opts out of Sri Lanka Tests
In a recent turn of events, Shakib Al Hasan has opted out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday, February 22. The decision comes after Shakib not being included in the white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
Jalal Yunus, the cricket operation chairman of BCB, revealed that Shakib’s absence extends to the Test series, part of the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Despite a resurgence in form during the Bangladesh Premier League, where he scored 249 runs in 11 matches, Shakib seems to be taking a hiatus from international cricket.
“He (Shakib) wanted a break from the entire series against Sri Lanka as he didn’t want to take part in international cricket. I think his eyes are fine at the moment but I feel he wants a break so that he can come back to international cricket fully fit,” Yunus told Cricbuzz.
The series against Sri Lanka, featuring T20 Internationals, ODIs, and Tests, kicks off on March 4 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with the T20I series opener.
There are speculations that Shakib might participate in the upcoming Dhaka Premier League, scheduled from March 9, representing Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to hone his batting skills before returning to the international arena.
