Bangladesh block Mustafizur’s Indian Premier League ambitions

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been told that he cannot play in the 2020 Indian Premier League because he will be needed for national team duty.

Mustafizur, who has enjoyed previous IPL stints with the Sunrisers Hyderabad was reportedly approached by two franchise’s eager to add the left-arm quick to their squads for the 13th edition of the T20 extravaganza.

Mustafizur’s IPL dreams crushed

The Mumbai Indians recently had Lasith Malinga withdraw from their squad leaving a big hole in their bowling attack and an overseas player position to fill. 

Kolkata Knight Riders are still searching for somebody to replace English left-arm pace bowler Harry Gurney.

Mustafizur approached the Bangladesh Cricket Board asking for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), but they refused his request.

The IPL begins on 19 September and runs until 10 November, but Bangladesh are set to tour Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series, which is scheduled to begin on 24 October.

Because of his frequent injuries the BCB have barred Mustafizur from signing up for any overseas T20 leagues, they had allowed the seamer to register interest in the IPL at a time when he needed to gain match fitness, with a view to being prepared for the now postponed 2020 T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka tour is the priority

With the World Cup no longer the immediate focus and Bangladesh looking to get back into the international fold, Mustafizur has seen an opportunity to enjoy a big IPL payday pass him by.

Bangladesh Cricket Operations Chairman Akram Khan said: “There was an offer from the IPL, but since we have a tour coming up, we didn’t give him the NOC. 

“He is an important cricketer for us and this upcoming series is also important.”

Injuries have prevented Mustafizur from figuring heavily in Bangladesh’s Test plans and he hasn’t featured in the ultimate format since March 2019.

The 24-year-old fast bowler has produced his best performances in white-ball cricket, playing in 99 Limited Overs Internationals as opposed to just 13 Tests.

Mustafizur returned from his 2018 stint with the Mumbai Indians injured which led BCB President Nazmul Hassan to vow that he would never be cleared to play in foreign T20 Leagues again.