BCB
Mustafizur gets BCB nod to play in IPL
Bangladesh’s left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman was cleared by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
Mustafizur, who previously played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, will play this season for Rajasthan Royals who roped him in from the auction earlier this year for Rs 1 crore.
Also read: Shakib reaches Kolkata to play IPL
A BCB official confirmed UNB that the board has allowed Mustafizur to take part in IPL 2021. It means that the pacer will not be available for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.
Mustafizur is now the second Bangladeshi player after Shakib Al Hasan who has secured BCB’s permission to play IPL skipping a Test series.
Also read: Six cities to host games as IPL returns to India
The pacer got inducted into IPL back in 2016 when he represented Sunrisers Hyderabad. Riding on his tremendous bowling efforts, the Sunrisers won the title that year, and Mustafizur got the award of the emerging player of the season.
However, he was comparatively lean in the field when he played for the Mumbai Indians.
Tamim Iqbal, Hasan Mahmud to return home Sunday
Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and right-arm pacer Hasan Mahmud will arrive in Dhaka by 10 pm on Sunday, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Saturday.
Tamim has cleared earlier that he won’t be available for the three-match T20 series against New Zealand due to personal reasons while Hasan Mahmud has been suffering from a back injury since the second game of the three-match ODI series.
Hasan, a 21-year-old pacer, played the ODI series opener in Dunedin. In the same game, he sustained a blow on his back, and he will need more time to get rid of this injury. After returning home, he will be under observation of the BCB medical team.
Bangladesh lost the ODI series in New Zealand 3-0. They failed to pass the 200-run mark in the first and the last game. In the second game of the series, they posted 271 runs but failed to seal the match.
Also read: We need some big partnerships: Tamim Iqbal
Tamim, Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah Riyad hit a fifty each in the ODI series while Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed bowled some good spells which are the only positive things that Bangladesh can take forward.
The Tigers will now take on the hosts for a three-match T20 series starting on March 28, with the remaining two games will take place on March 30 and April 1 at McLean Park, Napier and Eden Park, Auckland.
After this series, Bangladesh scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series against the hosts. As per the schedule, both Tests will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy with the first match taking place from April 21 to April 25 and the second match from April 29 to May 3.
Also read: Bangladesh includes Hasan Mahmud in Test squad against WI series
Before the series begins, the Bangladesh team will play an intra-squad game at Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Ground, Katunayake. This tour was originally scheduled to take place in September last year. But due to the Covid-19 situation and strict quarantine condition in the island nation, the series was postponed.
Mashrafe Mortaza drops a bombshell over his alleged T20 retirement in 2017
Everyone was surprised when Mashrafe Mortaza announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket during the 2017 away series against Sri Lanka. While talking to a private TV channel, Mashrafe stated that he was forced into a situation to announce his retirement from Twenty20 cricket. The BCB is in shambles following Shakib Al Hasan's surprising statements regarding BCB personnel. Mashrafe has now accused BCB officials of disrespecting him. Overall, BCB has to find a way to resolve the issue with both Mashrafe and Shakib. Otherwise, things would become even uglier. The bombshell Mashrafe disclosed about his alleged T20 retirement in 2017 is discussed in this post.
Why did Mashrafe announce his retirement from T20 cricket?
Bangladesh cricket fans were in shock when Mashrafe announced his retirement from the T20i back in 2017 during the tour of Sri Lanka. Because Mashrafe had done a good job as the team's leader. As a result, there was no compelling cause for him to retire.
Read: Shakib's 34th Birthday: 34 achievements to celebrate the no.1 all-rounder
But in a recent interview with a television channel, Mashrafe Mortaza revealed that he was in a circumstance where he had no choice but to announce his retirement from the format.
"There was an immediate meeting with me when I arrived in Sri Lanka. I knew there was an issue after the meeting. At that moment, I understand there is no need to continue the game," Mashrafe said during the interview.
Read: Bangladesh vs New Zealand T20 Series 2021: Who can replace Tamim in the opening slot?
However, Mashrafe went on to captain the Bangladesh ODI team for two more years before stepping down from the role after the Zimbabwe series in 2020.
The selectors didn't pick Mashrafe for the last home series against the Windies citing that he has a fitness issue. On the other hand, Mashrafe said that he has never had a fitness issue during his 20 years long professional career.
“No one can say I missed a fitness test in my 20-year career. I passed a fitness test even during the Bangabandhu T20 Cup to make myself qualified for the tournament. I'm satisfied with my health and form, which is why I want to keep playing cricket,” Mashrafe Mortaza also added.
Read: Shakib Al Hasan: What lies ahead after a dispute with BCB?
The BCB president and Mashrafe have had many disputes about his retirement. However, as time passes, the debate becomes more heated.
Bottom Line
Mashrafe and Shakib are the superstars of Bangladesh cricket. It is not appropriate to make fun of these cricketers in any way. The BCB has a responsibility to handle cricketers with respect. Cricketers, on the other hand, are responsible for following BCB guidelines. All issues should be resolved as soon as possible in the greater interest of Bangladesh cricket.
Shakib returns home from USA tonight
After an interview that literally rocked the cricketing fraternity of the country, Bangladesh all rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to get back home from the USA tonight (Bangladesh Time), an official at Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed UNB.
If Shakib wants to play Tests, BCB may revoke NOC to play IPL: Akram Khan
Former Bangladesh captain Akram Khan, currently chairman of the cricket operation committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, has said BCB will reconsider its decision to allow star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
National Cricket League begins Monday
The new season of domestic cricket will begin Monday with the 22nd edition of the National Cricket League (NCL), the country's most prestigious first-class cricket event.
BCB commemorates Bangabandhu's birth centenary
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) commemorated the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Rubel, Shoriful ready for New Zealand challenge
Bangladesh pacers Rubel Hossain and Shoriful are confident of doing well in the challenging limited-over series against the Blackcaps in their backyard.
Dhaka Premier League begins on May 6 in T20 format
The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League will begin on May 6.