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IPL-bound cricketers get Mashrafe’s nod

  • Sports Correspondent
  • 28 March, 2023 12:00 AM
  • Print news

Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza feels that the Bangladesh Cricket Board should release their cricketers for the upcoming Indian Premier League if they can manage to field a decent team against Ireland during the lone Test.

Mashrafe claims that the board should not be emotional in this aspect as other countries are not blocking their players from participating in the IPL, scheduled to start on March 31.

“Even if there is a Test match, if it is manageable, there should not be any problem for them to go. No other country in the world is blocking any cricketer. There is no point to be emotional,” Mashrafe told reporters at the BKSP on Monday.

“We are playing by changing players. When they have an opportunity in a good place, it is not right to stop them repeatedly. The board should talk openly with them. If they want to leave…why not? As for the Test match with Ireland, I think we can manage it,” he added.

The BCB earlier informed the BCCI that their cricketers would only be available for a limited amount of time - April 8 to May 1- keeping the international commitment in mind.

Things, however, changed in the recent time following the request from Bangladeshi cricketers – Shakib Al Hasan, Liton and Mustafizur Rahman as they wanted to feature in the full tournament - from March 31 to May 28.

It suggests that they will miss the one-off Test against Ireland, scheduled at home on April 4-8 while they also miss a three-match ODI series against the same opposition in England which is part of the ICC World Cup Super League.

The three matches are scheduled respectively on May 9, 12 and 14 in Chelmsford.

“Bangladesh played England without a few players. They played against Ireland in the same manner. They can play by shifting. We have to understand the importance of the series. It should be resolved by talking to the cricketers who are going to play IPL,” said Mashrafe, who claimed 5-17 against Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited in a DPL match for Legends of Rupganj on the same day.