Picture Credit: IPL
In what could be a bit of a setback for the Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are set to face each other in the Eliminator on Monday, could well be without a few of their players in this knockout game.
It is being learned that while Kolkata all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan could go on to join Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi ahead of the T20 World Cup, Bangalore's Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera have also been asked to join their national team.
Other than Shakib who has been used sparingly in Kolkata's campaign in IPL 2021, Mustafizur Rahman has also been asked to join the national team by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). But while Shakib's Kolkata are in the race to become the champions for the third time, Mustafizur's Rajasthan Royals are already out of IPL 2021. Both the players are expected to be part of the national camp by October 10.
Mustafizur and Shakib will join us in the UAE: BCB official
"Mustafizur and Shakib will join us in the UAE. We are travelling to Abu Dhabi later today for two practice matches," a BCB official was quoted as saying by InsideSport.
It should be noted that the Bangla Tigers are set to play two warm matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland before beginning their T20 World Cup campaign.
Hasaranga and Chameera provided NOC on condition of joining the national camp for preparations
Although there was no clarification by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on whether Hasaranga and Chameera will be made available for the remaining Bangalore matches, the official was quoted as saying that the cricketers from the island country were handed a No Objection Certificate on conditions that they would have to join the National camp in Oman for preparations.
"Hasaranga and Chameera had been asked to join the Sri Lanka team by October 10. That was what we agreed on and it still stands. We expect them to join the squad soon," an SLC official told InsideSport.