Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will lead Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, which starts from May 31.

"Of course, we want to finish the league as one of the best teams," Shakib told the media during a jersey unveiling programme of Mohammedan in the capital. "But it's a long event. So we have to start it well. Our first goal is to win the event opener, and after that, we will go match after match."

Twelve Dhaka-based clubs will take part in this league, which will be played in T20 format this year.

In their maiden game, Mohammedan will take on Shinepukur Cricket Club at BKSP Ground-4 at 1:30pm on May 31. On the same day, another five games will take place in three different venues.

Mohammedan have a big fan base in every sport. But they have failed to win a single major trophy in any game for a long time.

"This is a disappointment for a club like Mohammedan. But I'm sure the new committee of Mohammedan will try their best to bring some success in the coming years," Shakib said.

The last season of Dhaka League, the main income source for hundreds of professional cricketers of Bangladesh, was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

So the cricket board has decided to host this year's league in a bio-secure environment. All the cricketers will stay in four different hotels in the capital along with the club and match officials. The board is spending more than Tk5 crore to make this league happen.