Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, the chairman of the BCB selection panel, has expressed a desire for star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to participate in matches of the Super League phase of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) before the upcoming T20 International series against Zimbabwe, starting on May 3.

Shakib, currently representing Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, had returned to Bangladesh briefly after the Sri Lanka series before traveling to the USA for Eid holidays with his family.

"We have already contacted Shakib Al Hasan. He will return to the country at the end of this month," Lipu stated.

Lipu emphasized the importance of Shakib's potential participation in the Super League matches, followed by integration into the national team's training and preparation.

However, concerns exist regarding Shakib's readiness due to potential fatigue from the long flight and the challenging weather conditions in Bangladesh.

"Every cricketer needs to go through a process. Shakib will naturally be exhausted after returning from abroad, but we will take necessary steps to help him acclimatize to the heat and quickly get back into cricket," Lipu explained.

Despite Shakib's recent absence, Lipu expressed confidence in his ability to integrate seamlessly with the team, highlighting the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and subsequent matches against the USA as opportunities for team bonding.

"He (Shakib) knows how to gel with other players. That's not a problem at all. We'll play five T20s against Zimbabwe and then three more matches against the USA, which will allow the players to spend valuable time together," Lipu affirmed.

The BCB aims to optimize Shakib's participation in domestic matches to ensure his readiness and fitness for the upcoming international fixtures against Zimbabwe and beyond.