Mashrafee Admits It’s Not Ideal Playing in BPL

Former national skipper Mashrafee bin Mortaza said on Tuesday that it is not ideal that he is playing in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, country’s lone franchise-based T20 tournament.

Sylhet Strikers captain Mashrafee admitted that it’s “not an ideal situation” for him to play the BPL amid criticism over his fitness.

“You cannot explain everything every time. So, what I feel that it’s not an ideal situation for me,” Mashrafe said during a post-match press conference on Tuesday after his side lose by four wickets against Rangpur Riders.

“Yes that’s obvious [passion and love]. But to be very honest in an ideal situation it’s better if it doesn’t happen. But many things can’t be explained. Ideally maybe … I am mostly alright but the knee problem is problematic even though it’s small,” he said, who last played in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) in May of 2023 before coming into BPL.

“Whether playing someone would make things better is up to the team. Maybe instead of playing him {Raja] someone else could be played. That’s a different thing. The team won’t discuss with anyone about whether playing someone would be good. But as you said, in an ideal situation, that is what should have happened [Raja playing since Mash isn’t able to bowl],” he said

Mashrafe has been struggling with his fitness after having returned to cricket following an eight-month gap.