Shakib al Hasan targets CPL as audition for other franchise-based leagues

Shakib al Hasan is turning out to be a globetrotter, again.

With no national duty in his sight due to the political turmoil in Bangladesh, the all-rounder has a no-objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and he now seems to be focusing on playing different franchise-based leagues across the world.

It looks he is in demand as well considering the fact he recently featured in the Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars while he has been recently roped in by Dubai Capitals for the upcoming edition of Global Super League (GSL), scheduled in Guyana from July 10 to 18.

Following the GSL, he is expected to feature for the Miami Blaze Max60 T10 tournament, scheduled in the Cayman Islands, Caribbean from July 16 - 23. Following that tournament Shakib is expected to feature in Caribbean Premier League for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

Rudradeep Banerjee, agent of Shakib, who runs Second Innings Sports and Entertainment, told Cricbuzz that he is confident that the all-rounder will be picked in the ILT20 and SAT20.

Rudradeep insisted the veteran of the global T20 circuit, Shakib, brings a formidable record of 7,438 runs and 493 wickets, including a career-best 6 for 6 and his arrival is expected to significantly boost the depth of any T20 squad in the franchise-based competition.

"I think there is still demand for him in franchise-based cricket or else or else why is he being picked," said Rudradeep.

"He will be playing a couple of franchise tournaments while we are hoping that he will also be featuring in ILT20 and the chances are high because they have provision of picking a lot of foreign cricketers while there is also SA T20 in line," he said.

"In the recent past the dynamics of T20 cricket changed to a large extent and unless you are a major super star that pulls crowds teams are looking for quality cricketers who can win you matches and tournaments and taking that into consideration Shakib has demand."

"Look in the subcontinent spin is something that we take for granted but that is not the case when you are playing abroad as it becomes your weapon. The way Shakib has kept his body he can play up to 40 or 41," he said, suggesting the all-rounder can carry on for another two to three years.

Shakib seems well aware that he needs to prove his mettle in the CPL to grab attention for the other franchise tournament like ILT20 and SA T20 and insisted that though he is not taking any preparation at the moment he will be up for the CPL challenge in the coming days by playing in GSL and MAX60.

"I haven't taken any preparation at the moment but I feel all these games and training I'll be ready for CPL," Shakib told Cricbuzz on Sunday. "That's my target," he said.

Mohammad Salahuddin, Shakib's childhood mentor is not worried that Shakib is yet to start preparing for the upcoming franchise-based commitments as feels the experienced campaigner understands his game pretty well, and won't take long to get back into business.

"I don't think some can forget his skill set so I am not too concerned whether he is taking preparation or not considering the fact I firmly believe when he will get into the team hotel he will not take long to get back into his groove. If you are talking about muscle memory in that case the amount of cricket he played it will take long for his muscle memory to get active once he gets back into the field," Salahuddin told this website.

"...He needs to make sure is his fitness is at the optimum level because if he is fit in that case he will shine on the back of his skill set and cricketing knowledge that he gathered through all these years. I am sure with each passing days he will get better and shine in different franchise-based T20 tournament," he said.