Why Shakib in DPL by skipping the Zimbabwe series?

In the upcoming month, Zimbabwe's cricket team led by Sikandar Raza will face Bangladesh in a five-match T20 series. However, Shakib Al Hasan will be unavailable for at least two matches of the series. While other players of the Bangladesh national team are busy with the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) and practice sessions, Shakib will be in the United States with his family. Although Shakib will return to the country before the series starts, he will play in the DPL to fulfill his commitment to the Sheikh Jamal Club.

Shakib Al Hasan will miss at least the first two matches of the home series against Zimbabwe. If his fitness is up to the mark, he could return from the third T20 in Chittagong. Shakib has confirmed that he will play at least two matches for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the Super League phase of the DPL before the Zimbabwe series begins.

Explaining why he would prioritize domestic games over international fixtures, Shakib said, "I will definitely play in the Zimbabwe series. There seems to be some confusion in the country about this. There's talk on social media that I will not play from the start of the Zimbabwe series and will play in the DPL... Actually, I had discussed this earlier with the coach and the captain. The coach said playing two matches would suffice. Then I spoke with the captain and the selectors, and they said playing two or three matches would be good for us. I said that's fine. That’s what was decided, which I see is causing confusion in the country. It's a pointless discussion."

Shakib further clarified about playing the matches, "These things are decided through discussions, not just by my will. Since there will be two matches in the Dhaka Premier League before the last three matches against Zimbabwe, there will be an opportunity to play those two matches, which will also be good preparation. That's the reason for playing these two matches. There's nothing more to it."

The Zimbabwe team will arrive in Bangladesh on April 28 to play the five-match T20 series. The first match will be held on May 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. The second and third matches of the series will also take place at the same venue on May 5 and May 7, respectively.