Having retired from T20 internationals and later from one-day cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim now features only in Test cricket at the international level. However, he remains a regular in domestic white-ball tournaments such as the BPL and DPL. Continuing that trend, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter will represent Sylhet Division in the upcoming NCL T20, which starts on 14 September. Head coach Rajin Saleh believes Mushfiqur’s vast experience will be a key asset for the side.
Last season, Sylhet boasted several national stars including Zakir Hasan, Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed. Zeeshan Alam also lit up the opening match with a century. Even so, the team managed only two wins and finished sixth in the points table.
Rajin, a former Bangladesh cricketer and BCB-contracted coach, is determined to improve Sylhet’s fortunes this time. He sees Mushfiqur as a vital addition to the dressing room.
Speaking to Times of Bangladesh, Rajin said: “We hope to have Zakir Hasan back in the squad for this T20. The new addition is Mushfiqur Rahim, and I think this is a huge opportunity for Sylhet’s players. Youngsters will get to share a dressing room with a legendary and experienced player like Mushfiqur. They can learn more from him than they can from a coach because his words will carry greater weight.”
The Sylhet Division side has already submitted its preliminary squad to the BCB selection panel, with a fitness camp starting on 15 August. Rajin’s aim is to erase the disappointment of last year. “Preparation has not started yet, but from the 15th we will begin fitness work. Last time we finished sixth. This time I hope that will not happen, and we will work towards avoiding a repeat,” he said.