Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hasn't been able to take a final decision regarding whether or not to allow Shakib Al Hasan to participate in the IPL 2021 final in case his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders qualifies for the same. This is because straight after the T20 competition, Shakib will have to join the national team camp for the T20 World Cup and the Board is mulling whether the all-rounder should be getting a few rest days in between the two physically demanding tournaments.
Meanwhile, the star all-rounder has already missed Bangladesh's first warm-up match against Sri Lanka on October 12 and will not be available even for the game against Ireland. In case, Shakib was to play the final on October 15, he will then have to turn up for Bangladesh on October 18 against Scotland at Al Amerat.
Moreover, the Bangla Tigers' other two Group matches are also in quick succession with the Tigers taking on Oman and Papua New Guinea on October 19 and 21 respectively. This is the reason why BCB are struggling to make a call and will decide after Kolkata's Qualifier 2 game against Delhi Capitals.
Defeat to Delhi Capitals means end of season for Kolkata and Shakib
"We will make a final call regarding Shakib (return to the national dressing room ahead of ICC World T20) after the second qualifier of IPL," BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told Cricbuzz.
In case, Kolkata faces a defeat in this match, BCB's problem would be solved as that would be the end of road of the KKR franchise in the competition, meaning Shakib could join the team early and get adequate rest before the hectic international commitment.
Earlier, there were reports suggesting that Shakib would not be available for selection in the Playoff matches for Kolkata. It was also claimed in the same report by Inside Sport that the Royal Challengers Bangalore's Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera would also be leaving the franchise's bio-bubble to join their respective national teams.
However, while the Bangalore duo did leave the bubble, Shakib was seemingly exempted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and was also impactful in Kolkata's win over RCB in the Eliminator.