Shakib completes Test preparation with fifty in DPL

Dhaka, March 27 - Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan hit a half-century in Dhaka Premier League (DPL) to complete his preparation for the upcoming second and final Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on March 30 in Chattogram.

Shakib is expected to join the side tomorrow in Chattogram. The premier allrounder skipped the T20 and ODI series and also the first Test to give him enough time to recover from his eye completely.

However, in his third match in DPL for Sheikh Jamal Cricket Club, he hammered 53 off 65 with six fours and two sixes and also claimed two wickets for 14 runs in nine overs as his side registered a 39-run victory over Gazi Group Cricketers by DLS method at BKSP-3 ground. This was Jamal's fifth victory in the sixth match.

Thanks to Shakib's half-century and Ziaur Rahman's rapid 55, Jamal posted 233 before being all out in 50 overs.

Gazi Group were in trouble right from the start and when they reached 128-7 in 30 overs, the rain stopped a game for a while. After the game resumed, the revised target for Gazi was set at 232 in 45 overs.

But they were bowled out for 142 in 42.2 overs with Moin Khan hitting his highest 42. Mrittunjoy Chowdhury took 3-41 for Jamal, apart from Shakib's 2-14.