Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman (Twitter)
Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman (Twitter)

Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman opened up on his stand for playing Test cricket for the national team. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer played 14 Test matches for Bangladesh with his last appearance in the white colours was made against West Indies in February 2021.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is mulling holding talks with Mustafizur about his return to Test cricket. When BCB introduced the issue of national contracts for players format-wise in early 2021, Mustafizur opted out of the oldest format of the game because of his difficulty in dealing with the bio-bubble environment.

BCB never forced me to play Test cricket: Mustafizur Rahman

The Bangladesh pacer said that he will reveal the plans with the BCB on his future regarding Test cricket although he remained firm on not playing the format.

“I will clear my position regarding playing Test cricket to Bangladesh Cricket Board if they want to know about it,” Mustafizur was quoted by Bengali daily Azker Potrika on Thursday.

Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman. Image- AFP

“What I see is that my seniors spoke with the BCB president (regarding playing and not playing certain formats) and I will also talk with the board president though he is well aware of the whole situation

Read More  Even after being torn apart, Hardik Pandya equals Rohit Sharma's mammoth record in IPL

“BCB never forced me in this regard (playing Test cricket) and I am not in the red-ball contract,” he added. 

I feel the best way is to pick and choose between three formats: Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur is a regular member of Bangladesh’s T20I and ODI setup. The fast bowler believes that he needs to choose the formats wisely in order to prolong his international career.

“For me staying healthy is important. If I want to give service to the Bangladesh team for a long time, then staying fit is important and to remain fit I feel the best way is to pick and choose between three formats,” Mustafizur said. 

Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh
Mustafizur Rahman. Image Credits: Twitter

“I chose my format taking my success into consideration and according to records my success in T20s and ODIs is more (compared to Test cricket) and that is the reason I am focusing on these two formats. In the world, a lot of cricketers are choosing formats to prolong their careers. A team cannot be formed depending on one specific player,” he added. 

Mustafizur is currently playing for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2022, he has claimed four wickets in five matches this season so far at an economy rate of 7.30.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Mustafizur Rahman Rues His Teammate Taskin Ahmed Missing The Season

Read More  Virender Sehwag restarts his feud with MS Dhoni, slams the broadcasters who hired him for commentary