Shakib to skip Chattogram phase of Zimbabwe series for DPL Super League

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh ace-allrounder Shakib al Hasan likely to miss the first three matches of the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and set to play the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) Super League stage.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus stated to Cricfrenzy that if the all-rounder can manage his workload, he might play the last two T20Is scheduled to be played in Dhaka.

Shakib will return to the country from USA this week to take part in DPL's Super League stage for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. It was learned that he will play the domestic tournament before playing the last part of Zimbabwe series.

"Shakib is expected to return to the country in a couple of days. He will participate in the Super League after his return. We will discuss this with him and then finalize the decision. However, based on what I've heard, he may not play with Zimbabwe in the Chattogram phase, as he will be playing in the Super League. We will confirm the details following our discussion," said Jalal.

Later on Tuesday chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu also said Shakib is likely to play a few matches in the ongoing Super League and take part in the latter half of the national team's forthcoming five-match Twenty20.

Shakib wasn't among the 17 players who were named for a three-day training camp in Chattogram, announced today.

Lipu said, that the allrounder will be returning to Bangladesh soon and will rejoin the team after a playing few matches in the DPL.

"Shakib will return to Bangladesh by the end of this month. There is a possibility of him playing one or two matches in the DPL. Then he will join the team," Lipu told the reporters in Mirpur today.

"As we have five T20s [against Zimbabwe], we would want him to play a few matches in the latter part of the series," he added.

Shakib has played 3 matches in the Dhaka Premier League so far, scored 34 runs against Rupganj Tigers and got a half-century against Gazi Group, he also took 6 wickets.

The first three T20Is of the series will be played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on May 3, 5 and 7 respectively. Then the last two matches will be shifted to Dhaka at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on May 10 and 12.