IPL 2021: Mustafizur Rahman says national duty comes first; BCB criticize Shakib Al Hasan for prioritizing IPL


IPL 2021: Mustafizur Rahman says national duty comes first; BCB criticize Shakib Al Hasan for prioritizing IPL

Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, the two Bangladesh players in the IPL

Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has stated that he will prioritize national duty over playing in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will hence, make himself available for selection in the upcoming test series against Sri Lanka. His statement comes despite the fact that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had stated that they will be giving NOCs to him to take part in the IPL.

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The NOC was also given to all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and the BCB expressed disappointment that he didn’t take the same route as Mustafizur by deciding to take part in the IPL. Board president Nazmul Hasan had come up with a statement expressing the same and suggesting that contracts must be made in the future about players’ preferences in case of such conflicts with regard to taking part in T20 franchise leagues.

Mustafizur Rahman says BCB will decide where he plays

Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman who was picked by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) spoke to reporters in Bangladesh and talked about his priority for the national side. He said, “I will do what BCB asks me to do. If they keep me in Test squad (for the tour of Sri Lanka) then I will play Tests and if they (BCB) don’t keep me in Test then they know what I should do.”

“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.,” he added.

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Shakib Al Hasan was meanwhile picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and as of now, it seems like he would be available for the entirety of the IPL.

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