Shakib Al Hasan to play for Legends of Rupganj in Dhaka Premier League

To prepare for the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has joined Legends of Rupganj for the remainder of the Dhaka Premier League, the country’s ongoing traditional club-based event.

Shakib originally signed with the Mohammedan Sporting Club, but the team failed to qualify for the Super Six after the group stage. He was later cleared to play for Legends, who are now in second place on the standings with 16 points after 11 games.

On Tuesday, the chairman of Legends of Rupganj, Lutfur Rahman Badal, confirmed Shakib’s inclusion in the league, and with this announcement, he also set aside the rumors around the all-rounder’s availability for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh will be playing a two-match Test series in May.

“He will be available from our next game. It is not due to our league standing (that I am picking him) but the relationship I have with him and he wanted to play (to get some match practice) as he has some (international) matches lined up,” Badal told Cricbuzz.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan, meanwhile, have joined Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the tournament after the two were released by MSC owing to international obligations that prevented them from participating in the group stage.

Shakib was last seen during the South Africa series in March 2022

The last time Shakib played an international game for Bangladesh was when the team toured South Africa for three ODIs and two Test matches. The all-rounder had to leave the series midway through and fly back to his home country owing to a family emergency. After the conclusion of the Dhaka Premier League, the Bangladeshi cricketers will start preparing for the Sri Lanka series.

Bangladesh made their way in the away series against South Africa, when they defeated the hosts on their home soil, winning the ODI series by 2-1. The team will look to strengthen their Test squad after a dismal performance in the series as they suffered a 2-0 defeat.