Shakib determined to pick up where he left off

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has signed for Legends of Rupganj today to play in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) after returning home earlier this morning from the USA.

Rupganj official Toriqul Islam Tito confirmed The Daily Star today that the all-rounder signed for their club to only feature in the four remaining matches of DPL's Super League phase.

Shakib had expressed his desire to enter the ongoing domestic competition to help him to better prepare for next month's home series against Sri Lanka.

"I don't think there was any doubt [about his availability for the Sri Lanka Tests]. It could've been had there been any emergency issue. Of course, I will play the series if I am fit," said the premier all-round, who had to miss the Test series in South Africa due to his family's health crisis, told the reporters upon his return at the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport this morning.

"There has been a month-long gap as I've not played. So, if I could play the four Super League matches, it'd help me to arrive into the [Sri Lanka] match better and that's why I have taken this opportunity.

"I took this decision suddenly as I thought my preparation for the Sri Lanka series will be good if I can play those matches," he reiterated.

Shakib was willing to join another team in order to get back into the grind ahead of the Sri Lanka assignment as Mohammedan failed to make the Super League stage, 

Mohammedan director AGM Sabbir yesterday said: "Shakib is very much focused at the moment as far as I can see. When Rupganj approached him, he told us that he wants to play four matches to get into his flow. He wanted to prepare for the Sri Lanka series and, as part of preparations, wants to play the Super League." 

The Sri Lanka cricket team will arrive in Bangladesh on May 8 for a two-match Test series, a part of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship.

Following a two-day practice match, scheduled to begin on May 11, the two teams will play the first Test on May 15 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.