This week, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) provided Mustafizur Rahman with an extended No-Objection Certificate, permitting his continued participation with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. This extension now enables Mustafizur to represent CSK until their encounter against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 1, extending his availability beyond the initial cutoff of April 30. This decision allows Mustafizur to further contribute to CSK’s campaign in the tournament, enhancing the team’s prospects moving forward.
Mustafizur Rahman’s Availability in IPL:
Mustafizur’s presence will be crucial in pivotal fixtures for CSK, notably in consecutive showdowns against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19 and 23. Subsequently, he will take the field against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 28, culminating with a significant clash against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 1. His participation in these key encounters underscores his importance to CSK’s strategy as they aim to maintain momentum and secure victories in the IPL campaign.
Following the culmination of his IPL obligations, Mustafizur is set to head back to Bangladesh to join the national team for their upcoming home T20I series versus Zimbabwe, scheduled from May 3 to 12. Subsequently, he will gear up for an international T20I campaign against the United States of America, slated to kick off in Texas on May 21. Mustafizur’s seamless transition from IPL action to international duties highlights his versatility and commitment to representing Bangladesh across various cricketing arenas.
BCB Chairman on Mustafizur’s Availability:
In a noteworthy statement regarding Mustafizur’s participation in IPL 2024, Jalal Yunus, the chairman of BCB’s cricket operations, shared intriguing insights with journalists on Wednesday. Yunus expressed a sentiment that Mustafizur has reached a point where he has “nothing to learn” from the IPL, hinting at the pacer’s substantial experience and expertise. Additionally, Yunus voiced frustration towards CSK, suggesting that the franchise may be fully utilizing Mustafizur’s talents without considering potential ramifications on his overall workload or Bangladesh’s interests.
He said, “Mustafizur has nothing to learn from playing in the IPL. Mustafizur’s learning process is over. Rather, there are many players in IPL who can learn from him. Bangladesh will not benefit from this.”
He further said, “Our concern is Mustafizur’s fitness. They want to take 100 per cent 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.”
Mustafizur’s Performance So Far:
Mustafizur Rahman has emerged as a vital asset for the Super Kings in IPL 2024, showcasing his prowess as a key pacer. With an impressive tally of 10 wickets from five matches, the Bangladeshi cricketer currently ranks third in the Purple Cap standings. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being CSK’s top wicket-taker in the tournament thus far. Mustafizur’s consistent performance underscores his significance in bolstering the team’s bowling arsenal and contributing to their success in the competition.
CSK’s Upcoming Fixture:
Over the course of the next six days, the Super Kings are scheduled to face the Lucknow Super Giants twice, first in an away encounter on Thursday and then in a home fixture in Chennai next Tuesday. Holding steady at the third position on the league table, CSK maintains their standing as formidable contenders. Meanwhile, the Super Giants find themselves slipping to fourth place after suffering a substantial 8-wicket loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders in their recent matchup last Sunday.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
