Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has decided to take a break from the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season after facing five consecutive defeats with his team, Sylhet Strikers.
Sylhet Strikers, under Mashrafe's leadership, endured a challenging start in the BPL, failing to secure a single victory in the first five matches. Mashrafe, known for his formidable leadership skills, managed to take only one wicket in this season.
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In an attempt to validate his place in the team, Mashrafe made a strategic move by promoting himself in the batting order. However, this tactical decision failed to yield any noteworthy contributions with the bat, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his participation in the Bangladesh Premier League.
In an official statement regarding Mashrafe's temporary departure from the BPL, the Sylhet team clarified that he is opting for this break to fulfill his responsibilities as a whip in the parliament. The team expressed the possibility of Mashrafe rejoining the BPL later in the season, provided he can balance his political commitments.
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During Mashrafe's absence as captain, Mohammad Mithun is slated to assume the leadership role for Sylhet, as confirmed by the team management.
Mashrafe's involvement in the BPL had faced criticism due to his prolonged absence from competitive cricket due to his political engagements. He actively participated in the national election in early January 2024, securing a parliamentary seat for the ruling Awami League party. Notably, the election was boycotted by the main political opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and their allies.
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Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, currently serving as an analyst for T Sports, a sports-dedicated private TV station, voiced concerns about Mashrafe's fitness. He suggested that the participation of players like Mashrafe is tarnishing the image of BPL globally and hindering opportunities for younger cricketers.
In response to the criticism about his participation, Mashrafe conceded that his involvement is not “ideal”. However, despite conceding it, Mashrafe played three matches for his BPL team before taking the break.