Bangladesh’s star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has said he would dedicate more time to national duty and that he is willing to “sacrifice” franchise cricket commitments in the near future. Shakib, who led Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup in India, was not part of the IPL 2024 auction list, announced by the BCCI on Monday, December 11.

Shakib Al Hasan revealed that his manager had given his name for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 draft, but he withdrew his name. Shakib has often struggled to balance national duty and franchise-based league commitments in the past, but the 36-year-old said he would want to continue playing for Bangladesh and focus on being available for national duty.

Shakib Al Hasan was a notable absentee from the 333-player list for IPL 2024 mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Dubai on December 19. Shakib’s name will not go up during the PSL 2024 draft on December 13. The Bangladesh captain is recovering from a finger injury that he picked up during the World Cup in India.

“I did not give my name in IPL and so that a window would be opened and when my manager gave my name in PSL I told him to withdraw it. I plan to give all this time to the national team because I will sacrifice the franchise tournaments that I used to play,” Shakib said during a private program in the USA.

Shakib was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023 auction for Rs 1.5 crore but he opted out of the tournament.

“I am playing in three formats and hope that I can continue that but no one knows about the future and what is in store. But till now I have the desire to play cricket for a long time,” he added.

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Shakib was ruled out of Bangladesh’s recent Test series at home against New Zealand due to an injury. The all-rounder’s absence was felt even as Bangladesh won the first Test before settling for a 1-`1 draw in the 2-match series.

Shakib will not travel to New Zealand for their upcoming white-ball tour where the visitors will play 3 ODIs and as many T20Is from December 17 to 31.

The star all-rounder is targeting to return to action during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), starting January 19.

“I was hoping that I will be going to New Zealand for the ODI and T20 series. As of now the team is departing for the tour and I was planning in that way because I felt I will be okay by four weeks,” Shakib said.

“But I have consulted a doctor two days back and he asked me to wait as I will need another two weeks and later start the rehabilitation,” he added.

Shakib highlighted that he will focus on returning to action in the BPL after contesting in the country’s 12th parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 7. Shakib is contesting from his home district, Magura-1 constituency.