Rajshahi desperate to get Mashrafe

A battle has begun to get former national team captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza in the squad for the Bangabandhu T20 Cup. 

After Gemcon Khulna and Fortune Barishal, Minister Group Rajshahi also wants to include him in the respective team.

Hannan Sarkar, manager of Minister Group Rajshahi, said, “No specific instruction has yet not been given by the board to get Mashrafe. However, we have already started the process of getting him. We have applied to the board. We will come to know the rest through the board in time.”

According to the rules, if more than one team wants a player, lottery will be the final solution. That is why, Mashrafe has to sit in the lottery. But before that, he has to pass a fitness test.

After a long break, Mashrafe returned to practice on December 1. After about 9 months, he returned to Mirpur that day and bowled 4 overs along with fitness training. Mashrafe has been in a hurry to return to the field. He lost 10 kg body weight. However, he will have to do a few more bowling sessions to get into the game.

Rajshahi started the tournament with two wins in a row. However, they got a bitter taste of defeat in the next three matches. Injured Saif Uddin will return to the field from the next match. Rajshahi will have to win two of the last three matches to reach the last four. If they can win the three, the place will be fixed. In that case, Rajshahi is making plans around Saif Uddin and Mashrafe. However, Mashrafe’s palce in Rajshahi is not final yet. But, they are in full of hope.

“When Mashrafe will play, it is a huge opportunity for any team. Our team combination was arranged around Saif Uddin. But we didn’t get him from the beginning because of injury. He is returning. If Mashrafe also comes to our team, then the strength of the team will increase. If they play two matches in the group stage, it will be convenient for them and the team to play in the play-offs,” added Hannan Sarkar.