<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Bangladesh T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan joined the national team Thursday ahead of the tri-series in New Zealand where the Tigers will take on Pakistan Friday in the first match.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Shakib was busy playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in the West Indies. He was supposed to join the team two-three days earlier, but due to a shortage of airline tickets, he had to wait longer.</div><div><br></div><div>The all-rounder was not part of the Bangladesh team that played a two-match T20 series against the UAE before flying to New Zealand.</div><div><br></div><div>In Shakib's absence, Bangladesh vice-captain wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan attended the tri-nation series trophy unveiling yesterday along with Pakistan captain Babar Azam and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.</div><div><br></div><div>"Shakib has joined the team. His presence brings a lot of advantages," Mehidy Hasan Miraz told the media before the series. "We played the last series without him."</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan are playing the tri-nation series as a prelude to the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this month.</div><div><br></div><div>"A tri-nation series like this before the World Cup will help us boost our confidence," Mehidy said. "Pakistan played well both in the World Cup and Asia Cup. New Zealand are also a great team. We will play against both of them."</div><div><br></div><div>Bangladesh and Pakistan will meet in the first match of this tri-nation series Friday at 8am Bangladesh time at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.</div><div><br></div><div>After the series, Bangladesh will travel to Australia to take part in the T20 World Cup. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>