BCB mulls holding Mustafizur back from PSL

The BCB could hold back Mustafizur Rahman from playing in the forthcoming PSL. While the board has mentioned Mustafizur's workload as the major worry, ESPNcricinfo has learned there is also concern within the Bangladesh team management of overexposing the left-arm pace bowler too soon.

Mustafizur was picked up by the Lahore Qalandars franchise for $50,000 for Pakistan's domestic T20 tournament to be held in the UAE from February 4. It is understood that there have been discussions within the BCB over compensating Mustafizur if he misses the tournament, thought it is not yet confirmed whether he will be stopped from playing in it.

The BCB's chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said the board would take the advice of their doctors before taking a decision on Mustafizur, considering Bangladesh's busy schedule, which includes the Asia Cup T20 in Dhaka from February 24 and the World T20 in India from March 9. Before the PSL, Bangladesh are also scheduled to play four T20s against Zimbabwe from January 15 to 22.

"Basically we will take the observation of our physician before giving him the NOC," Chowdhury told the Dhaka-based New Age. "He [Mustafizur] is a young prospect, so we don't want to take any risk with him. We must consider his age and see whether he can take the load as there are other T20 assignments coming up after the PSL."

There is also talk that playing in the PSL would mean Pakistan's players gaining a familiarity with Mustafizur's bowling and his variations, which have been a significant factor in his early success, before they meet Bangladesh in the Asia Cup and potentially in the World T20.

Mustafizur, who in 2015 became the first Bangladesh cricketer to feature in the ICC's ODI team of the year, is among four Bangladesh players picked in the PSL's draft, alongside Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim.