Shakib granted NOC for UAE T20x

Desk Report: Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has finally been given the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for UAE T20x, a franchise-based T20 competition in Dubai. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted Shakib the NOC after assessing his fitness.

''We have given him the NOC as the reports are very positive,'' BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan confirmed this on Thursday, a day after he announced that the board won't have a problem with Shakib participating in the tournament.

Shakib will start his strength training - the first step towards gaining full fitness - from next week. And if everything goes according to plan, Shakib is expected to play in the tournament, featuring some of the biggest names and starting December 23.

''Yes, it's a relief for me to get the NOC,'' Shakib said. ''If I can get fully fit and play some matches, then my preparation will be good. To come back from a big injury, you need some matches under your belt. I am not playing for so long, to get the full rhythm back, these games are very important. The physio and I have decided not to put a time-frame for my return and possibly I will start training shortly. I have to start strength training from next week.

''When I will start improving gradually, and I will see that I don't have problems in playing, I can think of returning to action. Until then, I wouldn't want to return, neither the physio will let me,'' he added.

Shakib, returned home on October 14 after consulting physicians in Australia about the injury that eventually forced him to be out of the Asia Cup mid-way through Bangladesh's campaign.

The all-rounder did not rule out the possibility of joining the national team at some point in the upcoming series against West Indies as he believes the improvement is quite rapid. ''I cannot provide any exact timing of my return,'' said Shakib. "I may play in the first Test against West Indies or second Test, and may play in the ODIs, can't really say that,'' he said. "But the way I am improving, I won't take not much time,'' he added.

Shakib, who was expected to fly to USA for surgery, had to be admitted to a Dhaka hospital on September 27 just before the Asia Cup final. An emergency procedure was carried out to remove the pus from his injured finger but an infection has since ruled him out of action for at least three months at the time. _Agencies
 

risingbd/Dhaka/October 31, 2018/A K Azad