BCB ponders over Mustafizur's participation in Pakistan Super League

Dhaka, 8 January - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is considering holding back Mustafizur Rahman from playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to keep the young pacer's bowling technique a secret.

The board may choose to compensate him in order to keep him from going to Pakistan, a source in the BCB told a news website on Thursday.

PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars picked Mustafizur from the gold category. He is supposed to be paid a fee of $50,000 there.

Mustafizur's crafty bowling had played a crucial role in Bangladesh's success in the series against India and South Africa last year. Batsmen had a tough time reading his cutters.

Keeping the World Twenty20 in mind, Bangladesh limited-overs captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza does not want batsmen to find a way to deal with Mustafizur's variations, the source confirmed.

The skipper is sure other teams will eventually learn to play Mustafizur by analysing his action with the help of modern technology, but he does not want to risk giving away the secret before the T20 world event.

Possibilities of Mustafizur picking up an injury, too, has crossed Mashrafe's mind.

On the back of some minor injuries, the 20-year old seamer, who is yet to have a fully matured physique, had not been able to execute his cutter perfectly in the latter stages of the BPL.

Mashrafe himself suffered because of an overuse of his legs in the early part of his career. He does not want the same to happen to Mustafizur.

The likelihood of Mustafizur picking up an injury is something the board, too, is taking seriously.

"He (Mustafizur) is still very young. Taking so much pressure at this age will not be right for him, his body might revolt," said BCB Media Committee Chairman Jalal Yunus on Thursday.

"Taking everything into account, we're thinking whether it would be right to send him to the PSL. But a final decision is yet to be made."

The source said Mashrafe had already spoken to BCB President Nazmul Hassan. The 31-year old went as far to advise the board to offer Mustafizur a restitution, if necessary.

But Yunus denied having any knowledge of that.

"I don't really know anything about any compensation. But it will surely be considered if the situation calls for it."

Mashrafe has also shared his thought with coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who agreed in principle, the source added.
Although the coach's opinion will be crucial, the board will have the final say.

Agency