Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman expected to leave IPL 2021 midway

Mustafizur Rahman L and Shakib Al Hasan. Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

The COVID-19 outbreak in Indian Premier League has certainly put the tournament in doubt and BCCI has a huge task in hand to handle the current situation. The safety of players is the responsibility of the board and further actions will be taken accordingly. However, the problems in IPL 2021 keep on piling up one after the other. After so many overseas players left for home, it looks like two more star players might have to head back midway through the season.

Big blow to RR and KKR

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are two teams who have had a rather tough start to the season. While KKR have failed to win matches on the field, RR are facing too many challenges with respect to their players being unavailable. Both the franchises have now been handed another major setback as their star players Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan might be forced to go back to Bangladesh, way earlier than planned initially. Both the players were earlier expected to leave by May 19, so that they can serve a 3-day quarantine before joining the squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting on May 23.

The duo might have to serve 7-14 days quarantine

BCB revealed that the duo might have to return earlier if the government extends the quarantine period. BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that Shakib and Mustafizur have been contacted regarding the same.

"We have asked them (Shakib and Mustafizur) to let us know what is their plan for the next 15 days while we have also asked the health ministry to know what kind of quarantine protocol the two players will need to follow. If the health ministry suggests that they will have to follow seven or 14 days quarantine, they will have to return earlier than scheduled from IPL. But before that, we have to know what rules will be in place for them. We are bound by the Bangladesh Government rules, and will take decisions according to the guideline provided by the government," said Nizamuddin Chowdhury as quoted by Cricbuzz.

If that is the case, both the players will miss the business end of league stages for their respective sides. While Shakib has played 3 matches for KKR and taken 2 wickets, Mustafizur has taken 8 wickets in 7 matches for RR and has been a vital part of his side.