‘If they want to go to IPL, why not?’

Three Bangladesh players – Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman – are set to play in this year’s Indian Premier League but the first two players may miss the first week as Bangladesh will take on Ireland in a Test match from April 4-8.

The 2023 edition of IPL will start on March 31, and as Mustafizur Rahman will not feature in the red-ball format, he will immediately join the Delhi Capitals camp.

However, the situation is tricky regarding Shakib and Liton, who will both represent Kolkata Knight Riders, as they are the captain and vice-captain of the Test side. They have applied for a No-Objection Certificate to not play the Test and go to the franchise tournament but the Bangladesh Cricket Board is yet to give out a response.

Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza believes that this situation can be resolved by discussion.

“If there is a Test match and it is manageable, then there is no problem in them (Shakib and Liton) going. No other country is stopping their players. We are rotating our squad heavily. When they get the chance to play somewhere good, we should not stop them repeatedly. There should be an open discussion with them. If they want to go to IPL, why not? It is a Test match against Ireland, which I believe we can manage,” he told the media on Monday.

Mashrafe added, “The three players should be allowed to go. Players from the whole world are going there. Why should we stop them for no reason?”

If BCB approves Shakib and Liton to go right after the ongoing Twenty20 International series, then Najmul Hossain Shanto might lead the side in the only Test against Ireland.

Shakib will be playing in the IPL for the 10th time with the 2023 edition, while it will be the first for Liton.