শুক্রবার, ২৯শে মার্চ, ২০২৪ খ্রিস্টাব্দ ১৫ই চৈত্র, ১৪৩০ বঙ্গাব্দ

Khulna-Barishal vie for Mashrafe

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Bangladesh’s former ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza had been out of cricket for a long while. The pacer, who stepped down from captaincy during Zimbabwe’s tour of Bangladesh, had played his last match in any format in March this year.

Last month, Mashrafe suffered a hamstring injury ahead of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, which subsequently ruled him out from being able to make any of the squads in the tournament. However, it was mentioned during the players’ draft that if he is able to get his fitness back, any team can ask to include him in their side. BCB also said that in case of two or more teams asking for his services, the matter will be decided by a lottery.

Fortune Barishal chairman Mizanur Rahman today said in a video message that they are now planning to bring Mashrafe in their side. However, Mahmudullah Riyad-led Gemcon Khulna, who already have all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in their side, are also looking to take up Mashrafe.

“We knew from the beginning that Mashrafe was not fit and the day of the draft they said that Mashrafe will play for any of the five sides if he is fit. We have come to know that Mashrafe is fit and we are hoping to get him,” he said.

“We had been working to bring in Mashrafe from the first moment but since he wasn’t fit, we couldn’t approach with our wish. Yesterday we officially sent a letter that we wanted him in our team but today we came to know that Khulna also sent in their application. As two sides have asked for him, I think it will go to lotteries. Still we are hopeful that we will win the lottery and Mashrafe will play for us,” he added.

Former cricketer and Gemcon Khulna manager Nafees Iqbal also confirmed that Khulna want Mashrafe for the tournament.

“We have sent a mail that we are interested in getting Mashrafe in our side. We don’t know yet if other teams have expressed interest and the rest will depend on the decision by the board,” Nafees said after Khulna’s practice session today.

After almost eight months, Mashrafe had returned to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday. The pacer went straight to the nets at the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Academy ground and after bowling for around 25 minutes, had joined a running session accompanied by trainer Tushar Kanti Howladar.