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'Country Comes First': Ex-Bangladesh Captain Speaks Against Mustafizur & CSK

Rahman has received NOC to play an extra IPL 2024 game (x.com) Rahman has received NOC to play an extra IPL 2024 game (x.com) 

Bangladeshi pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, has been in some extraordinary form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 edition. Playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has scalped 10 wickets in five matches with an economy of 8.05 and is in the third position in the IPL Purple Cap list. 

In a significant development, the CSK star pacer was provided with an extension to participate in the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 1, 2024. 

Initially, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wanted Mustafizur to return earlier and fulfil his national commitments, but at the request of CSK team management, his deadline was increased. 


I believe the country should always come first: Khaled Mahmud

Former Bangladesh captain and Abahani coach Khaled Mahmud defended BCB's take to call back and not extend Mustafizur Rahman's NOC for the IPL. He stated that it is the right decision as the "country comes first" always. 

"At the end of the day, I believe the country should always come first. I would've been glad if Mustafizur could've played the whole IPL. There would've been no issues if the national team didn't have any series. Now, some may say that the New Zealand cricketers are staying back for the IPL. But, we don't have 10-12 bowlers like Mustafizur, we need to keep that in mind as well," Khaled Mahmud said.

Khaled Mahmud stated that national duty comes first and he added that he would be happy if he played the entire IPL and continued for CSK. 

The pacer will have to cut his stint short with Chennai and return to Bangladesh for the Tiger's five-match T20 series at home against Zimbabwe, starting on May 3, 2024.