Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has joined Leicestershire’s squad for the Friends Life t20 tournament this summer.
Leicestershire have announced the signing of Shakib Al Hasan for their FL Twenty20 squad, in a move that shows how seriously they are taking the competition this year.
Shakib is currently ranked number one in the ICC’s one-day all-rounder list, but has been out of the international setup since November with a stress fracture to his shin.
The Bangladeshi is also rated as the second best Test all-rounder in the world and seventh in the Twenty20 list.
Leicestershire are predicted to struggle in Division Two of the County Championship this season so the FL t20 tournament may be their best chance of silverware in 2013.
The county have been good in the shortest form of the game, reaching the Champions League in 2011 and the acquisition of Shakib should reinforce that strong position.
The all-rounder will play alongside Australian batsman Joe Burns, who has been making big steps towards an international career by impressing with Australia A recently.
“We are delighted to sign a player of Shakib’s experience and calibre. He has an excellent T20 record and I am looking forward to seeing him team up with Joe Burns,” Chief Executive at the club Mike Siddall said on ESPNcricinfo.
Shakib will also link up again with current Leicestershire player Joe Cobbs, who the Bangladeshi played alongside when their team the Dhaka Gladiators won the Bangladesh Premier League.
The all-rounder has played 24 Twenty20s for his country, scoring 423 runs and taking 27 wickets.
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