Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes lack of availability and missing out on impactful performances made star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan go unsold in the just concluded mega players’ auction of the Indian Premier League Twenty20.
Currently the second best T20 all-rounder of the world, Shakib was put up for auction twice in the two-day long auction.
However, none from the 10 IPL franchises showed interest on roping in Shakib, who has been a regular name in the tournament since 2011.
Shakib was put up in the auction at a base price of Indian Rupees two crore.
His Bangladesh team mate, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman got sold to Delhi Capitals for base price of INR two crore.
Aakash, now a cricket analyst and commentator, while speaking in a show on Star Sports following the auction said, “The franchises are not clear of his [Shakib’s] availability. This is a big factor. Other than that, there is also the fact that despite being a good all-rounder he doesn’t have rich statistics in IPL. He performed well in the [ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League 2022] but that did not make an impact [in the IPL franchises].”
Shakib has been in blistering form in this BPL and has secured a world record five consecutive Player of the Match awards.
With the bat, former Bangladesh captain has scored 296 runs in nine games at a strike rate of 146.8 with three half centuries while with the ball, the left-arm spinner has bagged 15 scalps – the third most in the tournament this season.
With the all-round domination for Fortune Barishal, many anticipated he would be a major bone of contention for 10 IPL teams during the auction, only to find no real interest for the southpaw.
As per the international schedule, Bangladesh are scheduled to play two series ahead.
Bangladesh are set to tour South Africa next month and then play Sri Lanka at home.
IPL is tentatively scheduled to start on March 27.
Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to South Africa on March 18 and remain on tour of the African nation till April 12 to play three one-day internationals and two Test matches.
Shakib however, is unlikely to play the longer version.
Once back from South Africa, Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka in May for a two-Test series that is part of the World Test Championship.
IPL is likely to be at its business end at that point of time.
As per the Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations committee chairman Jalal Younus, Shakib is likely to remain for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
For the reason and as per India media outlets, BCB is said to have informed the IPL governing body that Shakib will not be available from May 8 to May 23.
Shakib in his long IPL career played 71 matches and scored only two half-centuries.
With an average of 19.82 and strike rate of 124.48, the Bangladesh cricketers has totalled 793 runs batting at different positions.
With the ball, the left-arm spinner has picked 63 wickets in 71 games with an economy of 7.43.