Bangladesh all-rounder Sakib al Hasan failed to get a place in the playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders in their first match of Indian Premier League 2016 against Delhi Daredevils in Kolkata on Sunday.
New Zealand’s Colin Munro, West Indies’ Andre Russell and two Australians John Hastings and 45-year old Brad Hogg filled the allotted quota of four foreign players for KKR in the match.
Sakib, who helped the franchise clinch the IPL trophy on 2012 and 2014 and has remained as integral part of the team, was expected to start the match considering his impressive past record in the tournament.
He played 32 matches for KKR so far since he joined them on 2011 and scored 383 runs with an average of 21.27.
More importantly he picked up 38 wickets with an average of 21.76 so far in his IPL career. Only West Indies spinner Sunil Narine and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis have taken more wickets for KKR in IPL than Sakib.
Narine, who was cleared to bowl this week after rectifying his bowling action, was also benched in the opening match.
-With New Age input
