Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 due to international commitments and personal reasons, ESPNCricinfo reported on Monday.
On Sunday, Shakib informed the Kolkata Knight Riders of this development. After receiving approval from the IPL, the franchise will begin the search for a replacement.
KKR paid Rs 1.50 crore for him during the IPL 2023 auction last year. Shakib will be active for Bangladesh over the next few hectic weeks.
He and keeper-batter Litton Das missed Knight Riders’ first game of the season against Punjab Kings because they were playing in a home T20I series against Ireland.
They will also play in Bangladesh’s one-off Test match against Ireland, which begins on Tuesday. Bangladesh will then embark on a tour of the United Kingdom, where they will face Ireland in three one-day internationals in Chelmsford on May 9, 12, and 14.
According to what is known, Shakib informed the Knight Riders that he would be playing for Bangladesh at this time, as well as that he had “personal issues to attend to” that would prevent him from participating in the IPL.
Litton, who was also signed by the Knight Riders during the December 2023 player auction, is also gaining attention as a result of the new situation. Litton will play in the same two series against Ireland as Shakib, but he is still a member of the Knight Riders for the time being. It has not been confirmed or made clear whether Das will also refuse to participate in the IPL.