Taskin Joins Shakib at Jaffna

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has joined Jaffna Kings for the upcoming season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), where he will play alongside compatriot Shakib Al Hasan. The franchise confirmed that both players had been signed through direct contracts ahead of the tournament’s sixth edition.

Announcing Taskin’s inclusion, Jaffna Kings described the pacer as a major addition to their bowling unit, stating that the franchise had added “fiery power” to its pace attack. The right-arm fast bowler has become one of Bangladesh’s leading seamers in recent years through consistent performances in international cricket across formats.

The upcoming LPL season is scheduled to begin on 17 July. However, Taskin may not be available for the entire opening phase of the tournament because Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe is due to conclude on 19 July. If he remains with the national side for the full series, he is expected to miss several matches at the start of the competition.

Shakib Al Hasan, meanwhile, has been away from international cricket in recent months because of the political situation surrounding Bangladesh cricket. Despite not playing competitive matches during this period, the experienced all-rounder has continued personal training and fitness work. His signing by Jaffna Kings marks a return to franchise cricket after a lengthy absence from top-level competition.

This will not be Shakib’s first appearance in the Lanka Premier League. The former world number one all-rounder previously played in the 2023 edition of the tournament for Galle Titans. Taskin also has prior experience in the competition, having represented Colombo Strikers during the 2024 season.

Jaffna Kings remain the most successful side in the history of the Lanka Premier League. The franchise has won four titles in the tournament’s first five editions, establishing itself as the dominant team in the competition. Their latest recruitment drive suggests that the club is once again aiming to assemble a strong squad for the new season.

The Lanka Premier League has increasingly attracted overseas players from South Asia and other cricketing nations since its inception. Bangladeshi cricketers have regularly featured in the tournament, contributing with both bat and ball. The inclusion of Shakib and Taskin in the same squad is expected to strengthen Jaffna’s balance in both departments, given Shakib’s experience as an all-rounder and Taskin’s pace-bowling capabilities.

Below is a summary of the two Bangladeshi players’ recent LPL involvement:

Jaffna Kings’ latest signings underline the franchise’s intent to maintain its position as one of the leading teams in the competition ahead of the new LPL season.