Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan will skip the forthcoming two-match Test series versus Sri Lanka in April in order to make himself available for the entirety of the IPL 2021 season. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket operation chairman Akram Khan confirmed the development to Cricbuzz Thursday, adding that the board has granted him the leave. 

However, Shakib is expected to be available in the three-match ODI series that precedes the Test series, subject to proving his fitness.

During Thursday’s auction for IPL in Chennai, Shakib was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3.2 crore for the next edition of the tournament.

Shakib returned to the IPL after a one-year ban with Kolkata Knight Riders. He has previously played for the Knight Riders between 2011 and 2017, and was an integral member of their championship winning sides of 2012 and 2014.

BDST: 1845 HRS, FEB 19, 2021
AP