Jalal Yunus, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations chairman, defended the decision to bring back Mustafizur Rahman for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20I series rather than allowing him to play in the Indian Premier League 2024, claiming that the fast bowler has nothing to learn in the Indian tournament.
It is worth noting that Mustafizur is currently playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024. He was supposed to return to Bangladesh on May 1 based on the no-objection certificate he received from the BCB, but his stay was extended by one day at the request of CSK. The five-time champions requested to play Mustafizur in one more game. CSK will face Punjab Kings on May 1.
“We’re letting Mustafizur play until May 1. Yunus said in Mirpur that he will return on May 2 and be available the following day, as reported by Bangladesh’s ‘Daily Star’.
Mustafizur has been a key figure in CSK’s IPL 2024 campaign, taking 10 wickets in the first five games.
“Mustafizur has nothing to gain from participating in the IPL.” Mustafizur’s learning process is complete. Rather, many IPL players can learn from him. Bangladesh will not benefit from this, Yunus stated.
“We’re concerned about Mustafizur’s fitness. They want to take everything from him. They don’t worry about his fitness, but we do.
We are bringing back Mustafizur for more than just the Zimbabwe series; if he is brought here, we will plan his workload accordingly. But that plan won’t work if he’s in the IPL,” he explained.
Mustafizur is scheduled to return to Bangladesh for the team’s home T20I series against Zimbabwe on May 3-12. This will be followed by a Twenty20 International series against the United States of America, which begins on May 21 in Texas.
