Mashrafe might not play at the beginning of NCL

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has planned to bring the country’s domestic cricket back with the National Cricket League (NCL) after vaccinating national men’s and women’s cricketers, board directors along with ex-cricketers. It is learnt from the BCB insiders that if everything is okay, the NCL could possibly roll onto the ground from March 20 or 22. Team Khulna, meanwhile, sent a 33-member squad to the BCB keeping Mashrafe Bin Mortaza in the team. But Mashrafe is unlikely to play at the beginning of the tournament.

Speaking to the media recently, Mashrafe said he was likely to return in the middle of the national league due to lack of his preparation. “I haven’t thought about it yet. I’m not ready yet. So let’s see,” said Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who spoke to the media after the BCB named Tigers squad for the ensuing New Zealand tour following the home series against West Indies.

“The NCL is in four days, so maybe there is no possibility to return at the beginning of the tournament. Let’s see,” Mashrafe told the media during a press conference at University of Dhaka campus on Friday night. Like the other cricketers, Mashrafe returned to the cricket field with the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, where he played for Gemcon Khulna after over a 10-month protracted corona-enforced break.

Despite stepping down as ODI captain last year, Mashrafe played international cricket. He is still waiting for the decision of the BCB to return to domestic cricket. He is also optimistic about returning to the field with domestic cricket. “I’m playing domestic cricket since there were no games due to the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. So ultimately I don’t think anyone has any plans. So if any decision comes from the BCB, maybe every player will then take their preparation in their own way. Hopefully domestic cricket will start ahead, as NCL is set to start,” he added.

In addition, Bangladesh’s domestic cricket was halted in March 2020 due to a global outbreak of the novel coronavirus.