Birthday-boy Shakib prctises at Mirpur

Tigers’ premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan resumed his training for the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Mirpur Indoor of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday amid the various discussions that have been doing the rounds following his outburst towards some of the directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Shakib came to the Home of Cricket in the morning and did a two-hour long intense practice that included batting and bowling at the net apart from some gym sessions. The ensuing edition of the cash-rich IPL is set to begin on April 9 with Shakib’s team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) playing their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 11.

Wednesday was also special for Shakib as he celebrated his 34th birthday. But rather than celebrating the birthday party, it looked like practice gets utmost priority for him. Shakib, who was out of cricket for a year due to the ban imposed by the ICC following a groin injury, picked up during Bangladesh’s Test series against West Indies.

Due to his ICC-imposed ban, he was not part of the IPL last season. Therefore it is obvious he wants to make this IPL memorable one.

Moreover he wants to take preparation for the upcoming World T20, which will be also held in India, through this IPL as he wrote in his application to the BCB. Since the IPL coincides with Bangladesh’s Test series against Sri Lanka, he naturally would miss the Test series if he plays IPL. He is granted NOC to play IPL but the situation got worsened when Cricket Operations chief Akram Khan said Shakib doesn’t want to play Test cricket. After his statement Shakib was criticized vehemently by the fans and cricket pundits.

Shakib claimed that he never said he won’t play Test cricket rather he wants to play IPL for better preparation for the World T20. In a facebook live chat show with a cricket web portal, Shakib claimed Akram Khan probably didn’t read his letter properly and made a comment publicly that tarnished his image. He also criticized some of the directors for not doing their activities properly.

In the wake of the situation, Akram Khan said, Shakib’s NOC for IPL will be reconsidered if he wants to play Test series in Sri Lanka.  As the situation gradually became heated, Shakib returned to the country from the USA at the early hour of Tuesday. He was expected to meet BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon but that didn’t happen till now.

Even as he is in the midst of a confrontation with BCB, it looks likely that no action will be taken and his NOC to play in the IPL will not be reconsidered.

Teammates such pacer Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman congratulated Shakib on his birthday on Facebook, hailing him as an inspiration and Bangladesh's greatest cricketer. Rubel posted a picture of him alongside the all-rounder and wrote: “Happy birthday Bangladesh's all-time greatest cricketer, legend Shakib Al Hasan.”

 “Shakib Al Hasan - the name of inspiration, An elder brother. You are very special to us. Learning lots of things from you. You are one of my inspirations. On this special day, I am wishing you a very happy birthday. May Almighty bless you always!” Mustafizur Rahman wrote.