Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will play for Melbourne Renegades in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), marking his first appearance in Australia’s T20 competition.
The news came during the D3 Trophy player auction in Dhaka on Monday. The auctioneer revealed that Mustafizur would travel to Australia to take part in the BBL.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal later confirmed that the left-arm pacer would represent Melbourne Renegades.
Mustafizur submitted an application to the BCB seeking a no objection certificate to play in the tournament, which has been granted. He is expected to miss the D3 Trophy from December 12 to January 25 due to his BBL commitments.
The 31-year-old pacer has plenty of experience in franchise cricket. He has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), International League T20 (ILT20), Lanka Premier League (LPL) and England’s Vitality Blast.
However, the BBL is one major tournament where he has yet to feature. Mustafizur will become the third Bangladeshi player to take part in the competition after Shakib Al Hasan and Rishad Hossain.
Rishad will also play in the upcoming season, representing Hobart Hurricanes for the second straight year.
Meanwhile, Seven Rings Cement bought Mustafizur for 70 lakh points in the D3 Trophy auction on Monday. The franchise will now have to plan for his absence during the BBL as it prepares for the inaugural D3 Trophy.
