2024-04-20 00:49:49
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended its no-objection letter in the IPL by one day at the request of Chennai Super Kings and Mostafizur Rahman. Instead of April 30, the star pacer of Bangladesh is getting an opportunity to play one more match in Chennai’s jersey on May 1.
The board is bringing him back to the country because of the series against Zimbabwe. But his return does not mean that he will play against Zimbabwe. Mostafiz is being recalled from the biggest and most exciting franchise competition in the world in a plan to reduce workload, keep him 100% fit and fresh. Where Mustafiz is in great form this time. He was the only foreigner to get 10 wickets in 5 innings at an average of 18.30.
On Wednesday (April 17) at Mirpur Home of Cricket, Jalal Yunus, Director of Cricket Board and Chairman of Cricket Management Department, spoke openly about Mustafiz, ‘We have allowed Mostafiz to play till the 1st. He will come on the 2nd. He is available on the 3rd. The reason for backing him is not just to play in the Zimbabwe series. We will play with his workload. If you bring him here, I will give him the plan.’
Jalal Yunus brought forward the incident of 2021 T20 World Cup. Where Mustafiz and Shakib played consecutive IPL matches and went to play the World Cup. Shakib traveled from the UAE to Oman by car overnight, a day before the start of the tournament. Mustafiz arrived earlier by plane. During the World Cup, they were kept out of the team when their fatigue came to the fore. But after three years he was forced to admit the matter.
“The interest of the national party comes first. As you know, in 2021 two players played in IPL but joined the World Cup. They were tired there. They also said they were tired. We don’t want to create any such situation.’
Bringing Mostafiz back home does not mean that he will play in the Zimbabwe series. We will give him workload, reduce pressure. Will be with the team. There will be understanding. Going to a World Cup, a big event. Go to the event and be together with the players. He should be fully fit. If he is tired, he will not be able to deliver. What do we need? We need fresh Mustafiz. I don’t want tired Mustafiz.’ – He added.
The board thought that it would be better for Mustafiz to play in the IPL rather than playing in the Zimbabwe series. In response, Jalal Yunus brought forward the current reality, ‘Mostafiz has nothing to learn by playing in IPL now. The learning process is over. Rather, many players in IPL can learn from Mustafiz. There will be no benefit to Bangladesh. Others will benefit by getting Mustafiz.’
He also added, ‘The IPL game seems to you to be a 4 over game. But you may not know how much pressure to take. But they have to travel at night. After the game, they have to go to the airport at 1 o’clock in the night and sleep. It’s a lot of trouble. Our concern is Mustafiz’s health. his fitness. They want to take 100% from him. But they (franchise) have no headache regarding his fitness. we have He has nothing more to learn in IPL. Playing IPL for seven-eight years. If they play now, they will benefit, not us.’
The policy and awareness of the board about Mostafiz is getting conflicted with the issue of Taskin and Shariful. These two pacers in the country are playing consecutive matches in the Dhaka Premier League in Abahani’s jersey. That too is a fifty over match. There is a risk of them playing consecutive matches even in the extreme heat of the country. They still have to sleep when there is a camp ahead.
Taskin had earlier offers to play in the IPL. BCB did not allow it. This time too, the name was not allowed in the auction. It happened not only with Taskin but also with Shariful. BCB did not release them for IPL for added awareness. Jalal Yunus while explaining the reason for playing fifty over cricket in hot summer in the country said, ‘Taskin is playing in two versions instead of playing in the longer version. Here the workload has been reduced. That said, Taskin should report any kind of problem immediately. So far he is not complaining. Rather he is saying, he is feeling better. The cricket board has asked all the teams, especially the pacers, to inform the board immediately if they feel any kind of discomfort. Then they will be withdrawn.’
While BCB is thinking so much about its players before the World Cup, New Zealand is on the opposite track. They are going to visit Pakistan without 9 regular cricketers of T20 team. Who are playing for different teams in IPL. Jalal Younus was also asked what the New Zealand board was thinking and what the BCB was thinking. In reply, he brought forward the board’s own decision.
“Had Taskin been fit (during the auction) we would have allowed Taskin to play. Like up to a level. For example, I gave it to Mustafiz. I didn’t give it, it’s not right.’
‘And why are you repeatedly saying that they should play in the IPL? There is no problem with their (New Zealand players) fitness. Maybe their style is different. We have a problem. Our players have limitations. They have to look after the limitations. We have to think and send them in such a way that we can give them the workload. As New Zealand has given it, we have to give it too, whether it is Mandatory or not. So? We have to do our own look after the players.’