Shakib to play for Galle Gladiators: reports

Shakib Al Hasan, the world's No. 1 all-rounder, has signed up for the Sri Lankan Premier League (LPL) franchise Galle Gladiators. The signing has been done under a direct contract, as per reports in Sri Lankan media.

This will be the first appearance for the Bangladeshi all-rounder in the Lankan franchise tournament.

Earlier, Shakib, Liton Das and Afif Hossain were the three players from Bangladesh to be named in the draft of the tournament last month. A total of five teams will participate in this season of LPL.

The auction for the tournament will be held on June 11. But all the teams are competing to recruit star cricketers. Sri Lanka's star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been signed by Kandy Falcons while South African batter David Miller will play for Jaffna Kings.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam will play for Colombo Strikers, according to reports.