National selectors on Wednesday provided experienced pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza with a platform to attempt a return to the longer version of cricket in the near future by considering him for the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket League. Mashrafee was included in the 20-member Islami Bank East Zone squad, announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the franchise-based four-day competition, which begins on January 12.
Defending champions Walton take on Islami Bank while Prime Bank face BCB-North at BKSP 2 and 3 respectively in the first round matches of the opening day.
The four-team first-class tournament breaks on January 21 after the first two rounds for Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh, the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 2014.
‘We included Mashrafee because he wants to participate in longer version cricket,’ BCB chief selector Faruk Ahmed told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
‘The BCL will give him an opportunity to assess his ability in longer-version cricket,’ said Faruk.
‘He is a very key player in the ODI and Twenty20 formats and he will be monitored so that he remains fit for it,’ he added.
Mashrafee last played a Test match against West Indies in 2009 and is looking to take this opportunity as a platform to build upon.
‘I play a lot of one-day and Twenty20 matches. Let’s see how it feels to play longer-version games,’ said Mashrafee, who is expected to feature in one match.
‘I am determined to try to come back in Test match, though it won’t be easy, nor will it be immediate.’
‘I need to gather the confidence required to play the longer version, both mentally and physically.’
The National Selection Panel has selected 20 players for each team in the BCL.
-With New Age input
