Papon upset about Shakib’s decision, central contract will be strict

|| CF DESK ||

Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the Test series against Sri Lanka to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the entire season. The decision of this Tiger all-rounder is being discussed and criticized. Shakib's decision also surprised Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan Papon. He has also hinted the next player’s central contracts will be strict.

After being whitewashed in the Test against the West Indies at home, Shakib’s decision to leave wasn’t delightful for the president. However, the BCB boss is not uncomfortable by Shakib's decision but upset. At the same time, he said, the board will not force him to play if no one wants to play.

“No, it's not a matter of embarrassment, exactly upset. I'm upset if you tell me. You see, we don't invest less in a player. I don't even know if you know everything about the investment made by the board for last 10-15 years. For sports contract or any injuries, what facilities we give to the players wasn’t imaginable before. If the team tells me after losing two such Test matches here, it's not just these two test matches” said Papon during a media conference on Monday.

"We lost the Test match against Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. We lost two consecutive Tests on home soil with the West Indies. Then if anyone says I don't play the next test. My idea was everyone would boost up and say we would have to win next test match. But if anyone in that place wants play another franchise league, not Test match. Then there is nothing more to say. It is a must. Now our minds are absolutely clear. We will not force anyone anymore”

However, It is not yet certain which cricketers will get a place in the central contract of BCB. The president said that several new issues are going to be added to the agreement this time.

“We will go to a deal with them now. We haven’t made any deals this year. We have not yet renewed our contract. Some new things will be added to this agreement now. It will also say who wants to play in which format and they have to tell what they will choose to play for, national side or another tournament, if the time clashes” he added.

Although Shakib has already taken leave to play in IPL, Mustafizur Rahman has not yet made a decision. The left-arm pacer met BCB chief today [Monday] about playing in the IPL. He said Mustafiz that if he wants to play in the IPL, he should send a letter to the BCB. Then the board will not stop him.

“Mustafiz came to see me today. He wants to know if he will go to IPL. I said look, I have nothing to say here. If you don't want to play or go there, give us a letter. Then we won't stop you.” he further said.