|| CF DESK ||

Premier all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has been granted a leave from Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand scheduled to take place in March-April this year. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operations chairman Akram Khan confirmed that the board has approved the leave application of Bangladesh’s poster boy. He also confirmed that Tigers will leave the country for New Zealand on 24^th February.

Shakib has returned to International cricket from his ban and shinned in the ongoing West Indies series. However, he ruled out from the second Test due to a groin injury from first Test. After that Shakib had officially applied for paternity leave as he is expecting his third child next month.

“He [Shakib] is not going, he has written a letter to us. Wanted to stay with family. We talked to the board president. We granted his leave.” said Akram to media on Thursday.

The three ODIs will be on March 20, 23 and 26, in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington respectively, while the three T20Is will take place on March 28, 30 and April 1 in Hamilton, Napier and Auckland respectively.