DHAKA: Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to allow Bangladeshi cricketers to play maximum two foreign leagues each year, tiger skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza termed the issue ‘not vast’.
Mashrafe, however, opined that each of the local cricketers give priority to play in the national team.
However, offers for the tigers are now growing in the foreign leagues. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan plays for Big Bash League of Australia, IPL of India, Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) of West Indies, almost in regular seasons. Invitation for Tamim Iqbal isn’t so less for the domestic leagues. He joined the Essex Eagles at their latest 2017 T20 blast of England County. He stroked flamboyant performances for Peshawar Zalmi at PSL. Meanwhile, cutter-master Mustafizur Rahman is on the cards.
“I assume that the players--who are playing for the Bangladesh Cricket Team and who will be playing in the upcoming days—are dreamed of playing for ‘Bangladesh Team’. I think it doesn’t underlie any big issue.”
“How many of Bangladesh play abroad? There is Shakib. He plays at IPL (Indian Premier League), Mostafiz too. Sakib maybe plays all the other leagues apart from IPL. I don’t think (the whole issue) is something problematic. I don’t know what has been decided. Overall, everyone wants to play for Bangladesh, to represent the own country.”
But, in a latest move, BCB restricted the tigers by limiting their agreements with the alien clubs that has triggered discussion among many.
“The decision has been taken upon the policy of the board. We’ll give two NOCs (no objection certificate) each year. It will come into effect soon”, said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury.
“We want them to take enough rest and to control injury. Our target is to make all the players confirmed at the international matches”, he added.
Some are saying that the cricketers will be deprived of the opportunities and it will be a rare example in the world cricket whereas some are assuming that the Tigers sharp defeat in South Arica tour has contributed to bring the change.
Meanwhile, Shakib, Tamim and Mustafizur have been drafted for the upcoming 10 over a side tournament which is scheduled to hold at Sharjah in United Arab Emirates.
BDST: 1738 HRS, NOV 15, 2017
SI/SMS
