National cricket team’s vice-captain Mahmudullah became the latest Bangladeshi to join the Sri Lankan Premier League when he signed for Basnahira Cricket Dundee at the weekend.
The all-rounder, who could not get a team despite having his name on the players’ list made by the Sri Lanka Cricket for the seven franchises, joined Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nasir Hossain in the inaugural Twenty20 competition.
He was contacted by Basinhara management last week as they needed a middle-order batsman and he took little time to respond. Mahmuduallah left Dhaka on August 19 and has already made his debut against Uthura Next on Tuesday, though he could not shine.
Pakistani paceman Navid-ul-Hasan dismissed Mahmudullah for 13 with a ball that pitched on the off-stump forcing the batsman to drive it through the covers without any luck.
Mahmudullah could only hit the ball into the air and Sri Lankan Jehan Mubarak dived in front to take it well from inches above the ground to send him back to the pavilion.
Mahmudullah also bowled two overs that cost him nine runs and also earned him a wicket but that was not good enough as his team lost by four wickets.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Ashraful is also expected to join the SLPL as Mushfiq’s Nagenhira Nagas maintained a regular contact with him, sources said.
Ashraful, who is currently in England to play in the Kent’s Premier League for Blackheath, could fly to Sri Lanka directly provided he gets the no-objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Ashraful was supposed to return home to join the Tigers’ training camp for the ICC World Twenty20, which is set to resume on August 26. Initially, the BCB had agreed to release the players for SLPL up to that period, but national coach Richard Pybus has now changed his opinion and allowed them to continue as long as they wish.
Mushfiq and Nasir have already returned to Dhaka to comply with the BCB order and celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr with their family members. But they are now heading back to Sri Lanka to fulfil their SLPL commitment.
-With New Age input
