After playing a decisive role in the recently-concluded two-match Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is all set to join Kolkata Knight Riders squad ahead of his team’s season-opener against Gujarat Lions on Friday (April 7).

The 30-year old Bangladesh ace starred with both bat and ball as Mashrafe Mortaza’s men thrashed Sri Lanka by 45 runs in the last T20I to level the series 1-1. The southpaw top-scored for his side with a 31-ball 38, before claiming 3 for 24, having opened the bowling.

Speaking after the match, he said he would be arriving in India today and can also play if he is included in the playing eleven.

He said, “My goal is now to do well in IPL. I will go tomorrow (Friday) morning. I have a match at night, I will play if I am picked, or carry the bottles.”

Shakib has been in sensational form throughout the Sri Lanka tour but it is highly unlikely that the KKR team management would throw him into action after the full-fledged series and the long travelling.

The two-time Indian Premier League champions already have a star-studded spin department in the form of Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla and they can surely do without the tired Bangladesh star for this match.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who too played an integral role in the series-leveling win by taking 4 wickets, will not fly to India and will instead travel to his native country along with his teammates. According to a report in news outlet BDcrictime, the injury-prone pacer has been asked to take rest for 10 days. Earlier, reports suggested that the bowler is still awaiting an approval from his cricket board to confirm his participation in the tournament while SRH head coach Tom Moody had said they were expecting the bowler to join the team on April 7.