Shakib joining KKR today

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be available to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their last two group stage matches of the Indian Premier League. According to Bangladesh Cricket Board's chief executive officer he obtained the no-objection certificate yesterday.

Shakib is leaving for India at 1.20 pm today. On the eve of his departure, the star was upbeat about his team's prospects.

"We won the IPL twice and we are again in a good position, so I am hoping for the best."

He was speaking to a group of reporters during the soft launch of his restaurant Shakib's Dine on Banani road no. 11 last evening. "Hopefully the Knight Riders will do well in this IPL too."

KKR will face Mumbai Indians on May 14 and Rajasthan Royals on May 16, both in Mumbai. Shakib will also be available for KKR if the team manages to qualify to the knock-out stages. As per the current scenario, KKR do have a good chance of making it to the next round.

Prior to the series against Pakistan, Shakib had played two games in the IPL. The final of the IPL will take place on May 24 and Bangladesh's camp for the upcoming India series is scheduled to begin next month. As a result, there are no chances of any clash in schedule.

India will arrive in Dhaka on June 7 to play a Test and three ODIs. The lone Test match will take place in Fatullah while the three ODIs are scheduled for the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.