Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan would not be a part of the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The veteran was set to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but has formally informed about his unavailability from the IPL, citing “personal issues and international commitments.”

Earlier, it was assumed that Shakib would join the Men in Gold and Purple after taking part in the only Test against Ireland, starting on April 4 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Litton, in the meantime, is expected to join the Knight Riders sometime later this week in the T20 league.

While Mustafizur Rahman is already in India for the Delhi Capitals (DC), Shakib and Litton did not get released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) before the Test against Andrew Balbirnie’s Ireland. While Shakib is the skipper of the Tigers’ Test team, Litton is the vice-captain.  

Huge blow for KKR in IPL 2023

Shakib, who turned 36 a few days ago, was bought in the auction at his price of INR 1.50 crore. After going unsold in the first round, Shakib found a buyer in KKR in the accelerated round.  Litton also failed to find a team initially before KKR roped him in at his base price.

In Shakib’s absence, the Knights only have Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and David Wiese as their foreign all-rounders. While Russell and Narine played KKR’s first match against Shikhar Dhawan’s Punjab Kings (PBKS), Wiese, who has made a name for himself in T20 cricket around the world, had to warm the bench.

Shakib, who recently picked up his second five-wicket haul in T20Is,  has played 51 matches for KKR across four seasons. Back in 2012, he also played an important role when KKR beat MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.