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Published : 22 Feb 2025, 11:15 PM
Legends of Rupganj have delivered a big surprise on the first day of the Dhaka Premier League transfer window by registering Shakib Al Hasan.
They hope that the top all-rounder will return to Bangladesh to play in the tournament to be held next month.
The team's captain Lutfar Rahman Badal announced Shakib's inclusion in the team on Saturday at the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis, or CCDM, office of the Mirpur Sher-e Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
He said, “We are building a team to win the championship, and our biggest attraction is Shakib. I spoke to him while he was in America.
“It’s a homecoming for him—that’s the biggest news.”
Shortly after, Shakib completed the transfer process online. He played for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the last season of the Premier League.
However, questions and uncertainties remain about his return to Bangladesh.
Shakib, who became a member of parliament on the ticket of the Awami League, has been unable to return to the country since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.
After the political upheaval, he played a total of four Tests in Pakistan and India in August and September. His international career has been on hold since then.
In October 2024, Shakib said he wanted to bid farewell to plain-clothes cricket with a home Test against South Africa in Mirpur.
He left the United States for Bangladesh to play the farewell Test but had to return from Dubai due to security concerns.
Since then, his career has been shrouded in uncertainty. Bangladesh's greatest cricketer has yet to play in this year's BPL.
Shakib has been named in several cases following the political turmoil, including one for murder.
An arrest warrant was also issued for him in a cheque fraud case in January.
Despite strong doubts about Shakib's return to Bangladesh, the Legends of Rupganj are quite optimistic about getting him.
Badal said, “Of course, we are 100 percent optimistic. That's why we included him in the team. Why would we sign him if he couldn't play?
“I want to make one thing clear—we didn't sign Shakib the politician, we signed Shakib the player. He is a national asset, and we don't want to see him sidelined.”
But questions remain about Shakib's participation in the Dhaka Premier League.
He is currently banned from bowling in all formats after his action was questioned during English county cricket in September.
The ban, however, does not apply to domestic cricket in Bangladesh.
Badal confirmed Shakib will take another bowling action test before returning home.
“Shakib told me he plans to visit England during Ramadan for a bowling action test, possibly his third.
“He is working with a coach, and if the coach gives the green light, he will take the test. If he passes, I believe he will be able to play in Bangladesh,” he said.
