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Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has asked for the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) permission to skip the two-match Test series in New Zealand, which will take place early next month.
Shakib sent an application, asking for leave, a few hours after the BCB had announced the 18-member squad for the tour, said the cricket board Saturday.
It is still not clear why Shakib applied for leave after the team was announced.
Before the all-rounder submitted his letter, BCB President Nazmul Hassan told the media that Shakib asked for a leave verbally, "but he has to apply for it officially and show valid reasons."
Within a few hours after that, Shakib sent a letter to the BCB.
The all-rounder is now playing in the Dhaka Test against Pakistan. He missed the first match of the series due to a hamstring injury.
Bangladesh team is scheduled to leave for New Zealand on December 9. The first Test of the series will start on January 1, and the second on January 9.