Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been granted a Non Objection Certificate by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to participate in IPL 2021 during April and May. This is a welcome news for Rajasthan Royals as they are already missing Jofra Archer for at least first half of the season. Rahman is expected to fill the void left by Archer after he was picked by Royals at the base price of Rs 1 crore in IPL 2021 auctions.
Minhajul Abedin, Chief Selector at BCB, confirmed that Rahman was not a part of the test series against Sri Lanka next month. He also hinted that participating in IPL 2021 will benefit Mustafizur Rahman and suggested that the player’s participation in the IPL will be beneficial for him.
“We have given him NOC for IPL as he is not in our Test plans for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. It’s better if he plays there and gains some experience.”
Mustafizur might return to Bangladesh team for ODI series against Sri Lanka in May. This will be his third stint with an IPL team as he has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Previously, Mustafizur had made it clear to BCB about prioritizing national team over IPL after a recent controversy between Shakib Al Hasan and the BCB on the same topic.
“My first priority is to play for my country and if I am picked in the Test series against Sri Lanka, I will naturally play. If I am not picked then BCB will tell me that I am not included. At that point, if I am given NOC to play in the IPL then I will play but patriotism comes first for me,”
Shakib Al Hasan had insisted that he never opted IPL 2021 over Bangladesh and there was misinterpretation by BCB over his comments. BCB was furious after Shakib’s statement and reportedly contemplated about not giving him NOC for the tournament. However, Kolkata Knight Riders were relieved this week when BCB upheld NOC for the all-rounder.