Dhaka: Bangladeshi ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has decided to play in the IPL instead of joining Tigers’ World Cup camp, a top cricket board official said Monday.

‘We’ve spoken with him and he’s decided to stay,’ Akram Khan, chairman of Cricket Operation Committee of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), said, reports the UNB.

‘He might join the camp later,’ he said.

Tigers’ World Cup preparatory camp started on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Tigers’ bowling coach Courtney Walsh has welcomed Shakib’s decision. He believes it is fine for Shakib to play some matches in IPL that will help him prepare better. 

‘Personally I’d like him to play in IPL and get sharper ahead of the World Cup. He just came out from an injury, and match practice is the key for him,’ Walsh told reporters on Monday. 

Shakib was out of action for more than a month and a half due to a finger injury sustained during the last Bangladesh Premier League in February. He took part in IPL after recovering from the injury.

At the start of the IPL season, Shakib represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in a match but failed to impress. 

Bangladesh will fly to Ireland to play a tri-series with the hosts and West Indies before World Cup. It is believed that Shakib will join Bangladesh team before May 1.