February 11, 2008	Monday	Safar 03, 1429

DHAKA, Feb 10: Veteran Bangladesh spinner Mohammad Rafique said on Sunday he had received an offer to join Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s team for the inaugural Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL).

The left-arm spinner, who will retire from international cricket after the upcoming home series against South Africa, said he got the call to play for Khan’s Kolkata team, expected to be led by former India captain Saurav Ganguly.

“He offered for me to play for his team. I was just awestruck by the call from no other than my favourite hero Shah Rukh Khan,” Rafique said. “I told him I would be available after the South African series. Ganguly’s brother and the team’s agent have been keeping in touch with me. We will have final talks after the series.”

The 44-day IPL begins on April 18 and will be contested by eight teams playing in 12 Indian cities.—AFP