Mashrafee bin Mortaza’s brand value and experience prompted Minister Rajshahi to join the race with two other participating teams to rope him in their squad in the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
Mashrafe Mortaza’s career as a cricketer appears to be numbered but his brand value and experience looks invaluable that prompted Rajshahi to enter the race along with Gemcon Khulna and Fortune Barishal, reports Cricfrenzy.
“Certainly we are considering his brand value,” said Rajshahi manager Hannan Sarkar after revealing they have emailed to the board showing interest for Mashrafee.
“But at the same time you have to admit that he is a very experienced bowler and whenever he had made a comeback he did well,” he said.
“Even in the only training session where he bowled we have seen him bowling in good areas and whoever is bowling in good areas are successful so far in the competition,” he said.
“The wicket is certainly those kind of bowlers (who are bowling in good areas) and taking his experience into account we have decided to apply for him,” he said. The decision of Rajshahi to go after Mashrafee was nothing short of surprise as the day when Mashrafee came to the academy premises to have his individual practice session their head coach Sarowar Imran said that he is not in their plan of action.
It was learnt, Mashrafee is expected to give the fitness test within a day or two as he was advised not to take part in competitive cricket before December 7. Selector Habibul Bashar said that his trainer is expected to decide his next course of action and they are waiting a call from them in the upcoming days.
“Whether he will be giving a beep test or not totally depend on his trainer and we are yet to get any information regarding that,” Habibul told daily sun on Saturday.
“But I feel it needs to be sorted out soon so that he can play as he is very eager to take part in the competition,” he said.
Mashrafe last played a competitive match in Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League which came to an abrupt halt in March due to coronavirus pandemic.
Mashrafe participation in the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup will be decided on a lottery as two teams expressed interest to include him in their squads for the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
