Shakib Al Hasan is expected to skip the ODIs against West Indies next month, according to BCB president Nazmul Hassan, who made the announcement after a board meeting held in Dhaka on Wednesday. Shakib was initially named in all three squads, but now it seems he will leave the tour after the T20s.
Shakib led the side for the first time in three years during their 2-0 Test series defeat to West Indies last week. He was made captain after Mominul Haque resigned from the position shortly before the tour.
Towards the end of Bangladesh’s Test against Sri Lanka last month, Shakib remarked that he was available for all three formats in West Indies since he was named in the squads. But Hassan said that he had asked for the leave before the West Indies tour.
“I heard that he [Shakib] had earlier [before going to the West Indies] told Jalal Yunus that he might not play the ODIs. I guess if I talk to him today or tomorrow then I will get to know about it clearly. But he did not notify the board officially yet. But you can consider this as an official notice,” said Hassan.
The likely reason for Shakib skipping the ODIs is the fact that the matches aren’t part of the ODI Super League. Taijul Islam has reportedly been named his replacement in the ODI squad. Already Bangladesh are without Mohammad Saifuddin, Shohidul Islam and Yasir Ali who were part of the white-ball squads.
It is understood that Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was in the Test and ODI squad, will also join the T20I squad while Taskin Ahmed, who was supposed to play only the ODIs, will also be in the T20Is.
Bangladesh play three T20Is on July 2, 3 and 7, before the ODIs on July 10, 13 and 16. (ESPNcricinfo)
