Premier Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is most likely to join Melbourne Renegades in the ongoing Big Bash Twenty20 League 2014-15. According to close associates of Shakib, the left-arm all-rounder has reached a consensus with Renegades over a deal and an official announcement is due within a day or two.
Last week, Shakib confirmed his participation in the premier Australian T20 domestic league that got underway last Thursday. The 27-year old, however, did not disclose the name of his team as he said he only wants to do it after putting pen to paper – a process that is expected to be completed soon.
In his previous appearance in the tournament in the 2013-14 season, Shakib featured for the Adelaide Strikers. His contract, however, was terminated after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) handed out an overseas league ban on him. The ban was supposed to run till the end of next year. BCB cited a “severe attitude problem” on Shakib’s part.
However, BCB later lifted his embargo on playing in overseas domestic competitions, paving the way for him to take part in the Big Bash.
The Strikers have already signed their maximum quota of two overseas players – South African cricketer Johan Botha and West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard. Pollard though will leave midway through the tournament to attend national team duty. Thereafter, the Strikers will recruit someone else.
If Shakib finalises his deal with the Melbourne outfit, he will play under the leadership of Australian opening batsman Aaron Finch and share the dressing room with the likes of wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, Callum Ferguson, Tom Cooper, Jesse Ryder, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Peter Siddle, Alex Doolan, Fawad Ahmed, James Pattinson and Ben Rohrer among others.
