Shakib return has CCDM stumped

The Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to lift Shakib Al Hasan's suspension from September 15 onwards has caused some hassles at the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metroploitan (CCDM), the organising committee of the Dhaka Premier League. The left-hander, whose six-month suspension was reduced to two months and eight days on Tuesday, will now be available for the competition which begins in the first week of October.

However with the league's players' transfer of the premier pool -- which includes the national cricketers and the more sought-after players -- already over, the question remains as to how Shakib's transfer will take place. The second phase of the players' transfer began yesterday and it witnessed a number of players outside the national pool getting signed by various clubs.

Shakib however is not included in that pool and as a result the CCDM has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon to provide a solution. According to CCDM chairman AJM Nasir, Shakib's case was an extraordinary one.

“Since he was suspended, no one expected him to be available for the league. The competition's bylaws also do not have a clause for this aspect. Therefore, we don't have the right process. So we have asked the president to take a decision on this issue. After that we will include that in the rulebook,” said AJM Nasir.

“This case is rare, so there won't be any chance of him taking part in the players' transfer in these two days. A decision will be taken before the league begins on October 10,” he added.

Meanwhile during the players' transfer of the national cricketers, reigning champions Gazi Tank Cricket Club owner Lutfur Rahman Badal said that he had unofficially signed Shakib and that the left-hander, if allowed to play in the competition, would even lead his side.

Traditionally, deals in the league have been signed based on negotiations between the clubs and the players with both sides going through a series of meetings.  

However, the latest development suggests that a new policy may be added with regards to such situations.

Yesterday's transfers saw 70 players get signed up. Emerging pace bowling all-rounder Soumya Sarkar, who played for Victoria last year, has been signed by Prime Bank Cricket Club.

Aftab Ahmed, who played for champions Gazi Tank Cricket Club last year, was signed by Brothers Union. For former national vice-captain Shahriar Nafees who has been included in Bangladesh's preliminary A squad for the series against Zimbabwe, this year's league could be crucial. He captained Abahani last year. This year he will be playing for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.

Veteran batsman Rajin Saleh took a transfer from Mohammedan to Partex Sporting Club.