While Mohammedan Sporting Club were defending 339 against Legends of Rupganj at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was putting in the hard yards at the National Cricket Academy nets alongside Ripon Mondol and Mukidul Islam Mugdho.
Mustafizur was originally expected to feature for Legends of Rupganj in this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. During the player transfer window, Rupganj owner Lutfor Rahman Badal had said the club would wait for the left-arm pacer as he was recovering from a knee injury that he sustained in the New Zealand series.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Mustafizur has yet to play a match in this year’s DPL. Instead, he was spotted training with Mohammedan players ahead of their clash against Rupganj.
Following Mohammedan’s 107-run victory against Rupganj, captain Towhid Hridoy was asked whether Mustafizur would feature for the club in a match before Bangladesh’s upcoming ODI series against Australia.
Hridoy, however, was unaware of any such development. “I am not aware of this. Team management could enlighten you on this matter,” he told reporters.
Mohammedan head coach Mizanur Rahman Babul was also unable to provide a clear answer regarding the pacer’s status.
A Mohammedan source later revealed that the club had been keen to field Mustafizur for at least one DPL match before the Australia series. However, the source claimed their efforts were thwarted after arch-rivals Abahani Limited entered the race for the pacer.
According to the same source, Abahani are currently in talks with Mustafizur over a possible appearance before the international assignment.
Bangladesh’s national players are set to get one final DPL outing before the three-match ODI series against Australia begins on June 9. Abahani are scheduled to face Legends of Rupganj on June 5 at BKSP Ground No. 4 in Savar, a match that could potentially feature Mustafizur if an agreement is reached.
