The lead up to the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) players' transfer had been meek this year, especially in light of the ongoing Champions Trophy tournament but Legends of Rupganj created a stir by drafting in all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Saturday -- the opening day of the two-day window.

On Sunday, however, the club withdrew Shakib's name, communicating their wish via a letter to the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM).

The second and final day of the transfers took place on Sunday and Shakib's news instigated some liveliness to an otherwise dull window, mimicking those of the past few years. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das was left unregistered as negotiations with clubs regarding payment fell through.

Rupganj sent a letter to the CCDM yesterday, citing that since Shakib was unable to physically attend the players' transfer yesterday, the club also took into account surrounding 'circumstances' to withdraw the all-rounder's name, having discussed the matter with Shakib.

Afif Hossain, who was close to re-signing with Abahani, was later signed by Rupganj.

When contacted, Rupganj owner Lutfur Rahman Badal said that they thought Shakib would be able to play as an all-rounder. Shakib is currently serving a bowling ban outside of Bangladesh over illegal action.

"Shakib will go to London on March 1 and train with a coach to correct his action and until he corrects it, he won't be able to give the bowling test. We needed an all-rounder and thought of Shakib as the No. 4 [in batting order] but when couldn't do that, we took Afif. Both parties [club and Shakib] understood that Eid will pass before he completes the test. I thought he would be able to bowl but later I learned that he can only play as a batter. If it wasn't an ICC recognised List A tournament, he would have been able to bowl," Badal told The Daily Star.

However, BCB officials said that Shakib is allowed to bowl in Bangladesh's domestic competitions, something this newspaper had reported earlier. "Shakib can bowl in Bangladesh's domestic circuit, even in DPL," Shahriar Nafees, in-charge of BCB's Cricket Operations, said.

Liton and Abahani could not come to terms regarding payments and although Rupganj had spoken of their interest, the player remained unsold. Liton can still find a club by taking NOC from Abahani if he wants to play for another club. Rupganj drafted in several national team players such as Soumya Sarkar, Tanzim Sakib, Tanzid Tamim and Jaker Ali.

Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim switched from their respective clubs to Mohammedan while Rishad Hossain was signed by Prime Bank.