Mustafizur Rahman denied NOC to play in IPL 2020

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has denied Mustafizur Rahman a no-objection certificate (NOC) to take part in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision was taken bearing in mind Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka later in October and November. The Tigers will be returning to international cricket after a gap of around seven months.

It has been learned that Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had shown interest in the left-arm seamer after two of their fast bowlers pulled out of the IPL. Even as MI, led by Rohit Sharma, replaced veteran Lasith Malinga with James Pattinson, the Knights are still scratching their heads to find Harry Gurney’s replacement.

“Yes, he [Mustafizur] had an offer from the IPL but we did not give him NOC as we have the Sri Lanka tour coming up,” Akram Khan, the BCB cricket operation chairman, was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz on Friday, September 4.

Mustafizur Rahman going unsold in IPL 2020 auction

Starting October 24, Bangladesh are scheduled to take part in a three-match Test series in Lanka. At that point in time, the IPL will be taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Satkhira-born was a part of the auction back in December 2019. But with a base price of INR 1 crore, the youngster didn’t find a buyer.

Mustafizur last played in the IPL in 2018 when he plied his trade for the Mumbai franchise. Back in 2016, the 24-year-old made a dream start to his IPL career after becoming the first foreign cricketer to become the ‘Emerging Player of the Tournament’. In that season, he picked up 17 wickets from 16 matches and helped the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) win the title for the first time.

In 24 IPL matches, Rahman has as many wickets at a decent economy of 7.51. However, his form has dipped in the last 12 months or so. He had a tough time in the tour of India, leaking runs at an economy of 9.51 in the three-match T20I series in November. He was in decent form though while playing for the Rangpur Rangers in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).