'CSK DON'T HAVE A HEADACHE ABOUT MUSTAFIZUR'S FITNESS': BCB ON RECALLING STAR PACER MIDWAY THROUGH THE IPL

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stood by its decision to recall Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 for the national team's T20 international series against Zimbabwe, according to Jalal Yunus, the board's cricket operations chairperson.

The BCB has informed the IPL and Mustafizur's franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), that the fast bowler should be permitted to return to Bangladesh by May 2 to fulfill his national team commitments.

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This decision has come as a surprise to CSK, as Mustafizur has been their most effective bowler this season, claiming 10 wickets in just 5 matches. Yunus has stated that the IPL has nothing more to offer Mustafizur in terms of his development as a cricketer.

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Initially, Mustafizur was expected to return to Bangladesh on May 1 for the five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, which is scheduled to commence on May 3. However, CSK had requested the BCB to allow Mustafizur to stay for an additional day, enabling him to play one more match for the CSK.

"Mustafizur has nothing to learn from playing in the IPL. Mustafizur's learning process is over. Rather, many players in IPL can learn from him. Bangladesh will not benefit from this," Yunus said, as quoted by Bangladesh daily, The Daily Star.

"Our concern is Mustafizur's fitness. They want to take 100 percent from him. They don't have a headache about his fitness, but we do. The reason we are bringing back Mustafizur is not just to play in the Zimbabwe series, but if he is brought here, we will plan him with the workload. But that plan won't happen if he's in IPL," Yunus added.

The Bangladeshi pacer is set to play a crucial role for the CSK in the upcoming IPL matches. His schedule includes consecutive encounters against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19 and 23, a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 28, and a final clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 1.

Upon the completion of his IPL duties, Mustafizur will head back to Bangladesh to join the national team for their home T20I series against Zimbabwe, which is slated to take place from May 3 to 12. Following this, he will participate in an international T20I series against the United States of America in Texas on May 21.