Former Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, is uncertain for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), said the coach of his team, Sylhet Strikers, who have already started their preparation for the event, reports UNB.
Mashrafe is out of public view after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, of whom he is a member, facing a popular uprising for their increasingly autocratic rule.
Sylhet Striker coach Mahmud Emon said that the team would consider Mashrafe's inclusion if he declares himself fit. For now, it's clear that the former captain is not fit enough to play competitive cricket.
"Mashrafe is still in the squad. He's an integral part of this team," Mahmud said. "His participation depends on how he's feeling and his fitness level. If he's ready to play and the situation is favourable, he will definitely play."
Except Mashrafe, the rest of the cricketers were in practice on Saturday, he added.
"All the local players were in practice. Except Mashrafe all of them were present. Even two overseas players were also present. Two more have already checked in hotel and the rest of the overseas players are on the way," he
concluded. Mashrafe appeared in a competitive cricket match for the last time in April this year. After the change in the political landscape, he not only did not play cricket but was also not seen in public.
Despite this, Sylhet Strikers drafted him in October, retaining him for a third consecutive BPL season.
Along with fitness concerns, Mashrafe's BPL participation is also shadowed due to his affiliation with Awami League. After he was drafted by Sylhet Strikers, there were protests in Sylhet.
After the protests in July- August that dethroned Awami League, Mashrafe said he "completely failed to meet the expectation of the masses".
