Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has decided to not play the upcoming three-match One Day International series against Afghanistan.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Faruk Ahmed while speaking to the media in Chittagong Thursday informed that Shakib’s decision was down to lack of preparation.
Bangladesh cricket team are set to travel to the United Arab Emirates this Monday for the series against Afghanistan.
The matches are scheduled to be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 6, 9 and 11 respectively.
“Shakib is likely to miss the Afghanistan series as he has been out of practice for some time and probably needs some time to regroup,” said Faruk.
BCB national selection panel is yet to declare the squad for the Afghanistan ODIs.
Faruk clarified that the decision has come from Shakib and that the BCB had no input in it.
The BCB chief opined that former Bangladesh captain Shakib is likely to be available for the tour of the West Indies, starting on November 22, subject to the cricketer’s fitness.
Given his absence in the Afghanistan series, Shakib is set to miss two consecutive international series.
The left-arm all-rounder was earlier denied from playing the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa at home following protests due to Shakib’s involvement as Member of Parliament of the fallen Sheikh Hasina government.
Shakib, who is dealing with a murder case, made himself unavailable for the South Africa Tests after he was advised to not travel to the country.
Shakib was traveling from New York to Dhaka to play the first Test against the Proteas which was supposed to be his farewell Test at home earlier this month.
However, the former Awami League MP was asked to wait while in transit in Dubai.
He later expressed uncertainty around returning home because of protests against him in Dhaka amid political unrest.
