In the middle of playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Bangladesh’s superstar Shakib Al Hasan has secured a team in the United States’ Minor League Cricket. The world-renowned all-rounder will be joining Atlanta Fire.
The player draft for the tournament, scheduled to run from August 28 to October 2, had already taken place earlier. Just about a week before the competition kicks off, the 38-year-old Shakib has been picked by Atlanta as an international wild card player. If everything goes as planned, once his CPL commitments end, Shakib will travel to play for Atlanta.
In a post on Facebook, the franchise described Shakib as a “game changer.” The post read:
“We are delighted to announce that one of the world’s best all-rounders, Shakib Al Hasan, is joining Atlanta Fire Cricket Team as an international wild card for the 2025 Minor League season. With both bat and ball, he is a game changer. His experience, skill, and star power will add a new dimension to the Fire lineup.”
Minor League Cricket is considered a preparatory competition for the much larger Major League Cricket. Cricketers from various countries participate in this league.
At present, Shakib is playing in the CPL for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
He has been away from the Bangladesh national team since August last year following political changes in the country. After the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, Shakib has not been able to make a return to the national side. Although he was supposed to feature in the home series against South Africa, strong public outrage prevented him from returning to Bangladesh. Since then, Shakib has been staying abroad.
