Mustafizur Rahman seeks BCB clearance for BBL debut with Melbourne Renegades
Mustafizur Rahman has applied for BCB clearance to play in the BBL for the Melbourne Renegades.
Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has applied for a No Objection Certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to play in the Big Bash League for the first time. He is set to represent the Melbourne Renegades if the board grants clearance. The development emerged during the auction for the domestic D3 tournament on Monday.
BCB president Tamim Iqbal confirmed that Mustafizur and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain had both sought NOCs. Mustafizur attracted limited interest at the auction after it became clear he would miss part of the D3 tournament because of BBL commitments. Seven Rings Cement secured his services for the ODI format only, paying 70 lakh virtual points.
Shakib Al Hasan was the first Bangladeshi to feature in the BBL with the Renegades. Rishad will return to the Hobart Hurricanes after impressing with them last season. The next BBL edition runs from December to January and overlaps with the T20 portion of the D3 tournament.
CricHubb Take
The BCB must weigh the value of overseas exposure against the domestic calendar gaps these absences create. Mustafizur's case is unlikely to be the last as more Bangladesh players attract franchise interest.