Mashrafe in nets: Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza is confident of getting back to fitness ahead of the special edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20.
Mashrafe was picked by team Dhaka from the players’ draft last month.
The team, being managed by Bangladesh Cricket Board, will also feature Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal and T20I skipper Mahmudullah.
The six-team tournament is set to begin on January 21.
Right-arm pacer Mashrafe, coming out from a long break, took to the nets at the BCB Academy at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Thursday.
The veteran pacer informed that he is nursing back pain but will be fine ahead of the franchise-based T20 tournament.
I am under rehabilitation and hopefully I will start bowling in full run-up from next week.
It will not take long for me to find the fitness back,” said Mashrafe to the media.
Mashrafe was seen in the nets for the first time since September last year.
The veteran pacer has retired from Test and T20I and is currently not in consideration for the Bangladesh ODI setup.
He was last seen in competitive cricket during the Bangabandhu T20 League in December 2020.
The veteran cricketer now keeps himself busy with his political career as member of the parliament.
There was speculation whether the cricketer would participate in the one-day version of the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League, scheduled to begin Sunday.
Mashrafe however, has partially ruled out his participation.
“I am yet to decide on that [playing BCL one-day version].
I am carrying back pain and have come to the nets after a long time.
Will need some time to get to fitness.
There is BPL [later this month] so I am taking my time and a lot depends on the back pain to be honest.
I was supposed to play BCL but I am not being able to confirm that at the moment,” he explained.