KKR get Shakib Al Hasan boost ahead of Gujarat Lions clash

Veteran Bangladeshi opener Shakib Al Hasan has reportedly joined the Kolkata Knight Riders camp ahead of their season opening game at Rajkot against the Gujarat Lions. The all-rounder recently played an instrumental role in helping Bangladesh level the T20I series against Bangladesh. He picked 3 wickets in the final T20I against Sri Lanka and also backed it up with a clinical well compiled 38 to earn the Player of the Match.

Soon after the game, Shakib Al Hasan revealed that he is keen on playing well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the series. He has been an important player for the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in the recent seasons and is expected to be in the line up as well. Shakib revealed that he will be travelling to India early morning on the day of the first match of the KKR.

He further noted that he has the match against Gujarat Lions to play in the evening. He expressed that he would love to play the match. In case he does not play, he will do the twelfth man duties. Considering that Shakib has just arrived, it is very likely that he might be rested for the season opening match.

“My goal is now to do well in IPL. I will go tomorrow (Friday) morning. I have a match at night, I will play if I am picked, or carry the bottles,” he quoted.

The KKR lineup already boasts of alot of good spinners including Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla. However, having Shakib Al Hasan in the line up comes with an added benefit of adding strength to the batting order. In their first match of the season, they will take on the Gujarat Lions in an away game for them at the SCA stadium at Rajkot. Meanwhile, Shakib’s Bangladeshi team mate has reportedly asked for a 10 day break before joining his IPL team, the Sunrisers Hyderabad.