The elegant left-hander, a veteran of 62 Tests and 180 ODIs, is the first big name to make appearance in the season's curtain raiser tournament for the defending champions, who roped in the ace Lankan player ahead of their tomorrow's semifinal against Partex Group at the Dhanmondi National Cricket Stadium.

The first semifinal between last year's runners-up Epyllion led by Tushar Imran and national skipper Habibul Bashar-led Acme Laboratories will be held today at the same venue.

The 29-year old wicketkeeper cum batsman, however, was reluctant to talk with the press on arrival due to jetlag.

"I accepted the offer to come here because it is better to play cricket and score runs rather than enjoying a time off. Actually, we have no international or domestic engagement right at the moment," he told after landing at the Zia International Airport.

"As a professional, I am ready to play anywhere. So, there can't be any questions about motivation. I know that some of our cricketers played in Dhaka previously and I am also ready to play in the Dhaka League if I get offer and the time," Sangakkara said responding to a question.

He, however, refused to make any comments on their early exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in India where they were pre-tournament favourites but failed to make it to the last four.

Sri Lanka's early exit also inspired Epyllion to contact skipper Mahela Jayawardene but there effort to sign him was unsuccessful, it was learned.

Epyllion, however, might not feel the absence of a foreign recruit as they have an enviable local collection: Tushar, national vice-captain Shahriar Nafees, inform bowlers Enamul Haque and Tapash Baisya and young all-rounders Sakib Al Hasan and Forhad Reza.

Indian Sandeep Sharma also arrived in the capital to play for Acme, who fielded Pakistani Zahoor Elahi in the group stage. They will also be boosted by the presence of ace left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, Manzarul Islam Rana, Ehsanul Haque, Hannan Sarker and promising Marshal Ayub besides Bashar.

The final is slated for November 7.