Hassan prescribes 10-day rest for Fizz before IPL

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan told reporters at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo yesterday that Mustafizur Rahman would be able to play in the Indian Premier League 'if he wants to' but that it will only be after 10 days' rest at home after the tour of Sri Lanka ends.

Speculation over Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur's participation in the IPL was drummed up on Thursday by Indian online news outlet Sportstar, who quoted Mustafizur as saying: "I don't think I will be able to make it for the tournament this time around."

Mustafizur himself told Bangladesh reporters during team practice on Monday that he was called by an Indian reporter at his hotel room through the hotel intercom on the evening of March 30, and that all he said was that he was not able to say either way if or when he would be playing in the IPL as it was the board's decision, and he could not say anything before the current tour ends.

"If Mustafizur is really eager, then of course, he will be allowed to play the IPL," said Hassan. "You have seen that he still has not regained full effectiveness after returning from injury. And he has been bowling non-stop on this tour, first in the Tests and then in the ODIs.

"In fact, all the players need 10 days of rest after this tour," continued Hassan. "That is why we have pushed back the Dhaka Premier League by five days."

Hassan added that since there is a tri-series in Ireland starting on May 12, Mustafizur's stint with defending Champions Sunrisers Hyderabad would be a truncated one anyway.