I Chose BPL Over ILT20 – Zadran

Chattogram Challengers batter Najibullah Zadran said on Sunday that he preferred to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, country’s lone franchise-based T20 tournament instead of ILT20 as he wants to prepare for the forthcoming T20 World Cup through playing in the tournament, played across three venues of the country.

Zadran believes that his experience in the BPL will help him in the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies, as the wickets are similar to those in Bangladesh and the West Indies.

Zadran had offer from ILT20 and BPL to choose as both the tournament are played simultaneously across two part of the world.

“Two years ago, I played for Chattogram Challengers. I’m playing this year too. I opted out of ILT20 this year and chose BPL because my main goal is the World Cup,” Zadran told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

“Bangladesh’s wicket is quite similar to the West Indies. That’s why I chose Bangladesh and BPL. People love and support the Chittagong team. They came out and supported us. Hopefully, they will be supportive in the future,” he said.

“I have played in the CPL, there are such slow wickets in the West Indies. There is not much difference between Bangladesh and West Indies. This is a good opportunity for me to prepare for the World Cup,” he added.

The third phase of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 will begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday (February 6).