DHAKA: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has sought to withdraw his name from the squad for next month’s Test series in New Zealand, selectors said Sunday.

       Bangladesh, who will play two Tests against New Zealand in January, earlier included Shakib’s name in the squad for the series.

       “He gave a letter to the chief executive officer seeking leave. We are yet to be informed if his application has been granted or not,” Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said, referring to the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

       Local media reported that Shakib’s letter asked to withdraw for “family reasons”, without giving further details.

       The cricketer returned to the Bangladesh squad for the ongoing second Test against Pakistan in Dhaka after injury forced him to sit out their earlier match in Chittagong.

       He missed four of Bangladesh’s seven Tests this year — two to injury and two to prior commitments with the Indian Premier League.

       Bangladesh’s team will leave home for New Zealand at the end of Dhaka Tests.

       The first Test against New Zealand will be held at Tauranga from January 1-5. Christchurch will host the second Test from January 9-13.

       Squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan, Mohammad Naim Sheikh.

       Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2021