Strikers began preparation sans Mashrafee

Santunu Minaz

Sylhet Sixers, runners-up in the last edition  of Bangladesh Premier League, country’s lone franchise-based T20 tournament, began their practice without their inspirational leader Mashrafee bin Mortaza at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

The franchise earlier insisted that they are expecting Mashrafee from the first match of BPL.

The former captain was absent from cricketing action due to his busy schedule in the national election while his leg injury is a matter of concern.

“He( Mashrafee) was expected to come but did not arrive until now but who knows he might come in the evening or say tomorrow ,” a official of Strikers told this website when his attention was drawn in this regard at the SBNS on Wednesday.

Strikers did not disclose the name of their captain for the forthcoming edition of BPL and it is understood that is largely due to the fact his availability for the whole tournament is still a doubtful.

Strikers’ manager Nafees Iqbal told media earlier that they will take a call on their captain in the coming days.

 ]“We have quite a few people in our team who can lead the team. So it is up to the team management to decide,” said Nafees.

The 10th edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 is set to kick off on January 19 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur with a high-voltage encounter between the star-studded Comilla Victorians and Durdanto Dhaka.

Strikers will take on Chattogram Riders in the second game of the opening day of BPL.