The positive vibes that keep Mohammad Nawaz coming back to the BPL

Familiarity with coaches and captains in Bangladesh has ensured Mohammad Nawaz keeps returning to the BPL every season. In a franchise tournament that has lost a lot of sheen over the years, Nawaz, like many of his Pakistani compatriots, has remained a loyal import since he first played the BPL in 2019. He has played for Khulna Tigers, Rangpur Riders, Rajshahi Royals and Sylhet Sixers in previous years, before joining Rajshahi Warriors for this year's stint.

Nawaz is in top form currently: he has taken 36 wickets for Pakistan this year in 26 matches, at an average of 13.61 and an economy of 6.56. It would have been easy for him to avoid the BPL altogether - there are four new franchises in a competition that has been mired in controversy for years. Instead, Nawaz decided to arrive in the country for his sixth consecutive season when he heard one name: Hannan Sarkar.

Hannan is Rajshahi Warriors' head coach. He is one of Bangladesh's top coaches currently, having helped plenty of Bangladesh's young crop to come through to the international level, apart from leading Abahani Limited to the Dhaka Premier League title last season.

"The first time I played in the BPL, I got positive vibes in the Rajshahi side, where Hannan bhai created a relaxed and positive environment," Nawaz tells ESPNcricinfo. "He is a former Test cricketer who has a lot of knowledge. When my manager told me that an offer is coming from Rajshahi and Hannan bhai is the coach, I felt very good, because some things have happened in the past, which you don't want when coming to BPL. But when I came to know that Hannan bhai is in management, I was very happy."

Nawaz skirts the details of the more difficult moments in his past BPL stints: "Many things happened in the BPL which should not have happened. BPL is a big brand for cricket and all the international players come here and play."

He also says enjoys Najmul Hossain Shanto's captaincy, especially his handling of the young players in the Rajshahi side and the way he has answered his critics with a strong showing in the tournament so far. "You saw [Shanto] scored 100 in the first match… Performance speaks on the ground," Nawaz says. "He scored a century in the first match - now whether he is a T20 batter or not is a different debate - but his performance says that he is a T20 batter.

"He is very positive as a captain. He backs the youngsters, keeps them relaxed. He tells them to just relax and play your cricket, give your 100 per cent, the result does not matter."

Nawaz said he also picks Mushfiqur Rahim's brain whenever possible. "[Mushfiqur] bhai has vast experience. He made his debut in 2005," Nawaz said. "Someone cannot play twenty years of international cricket just like that; there is something special [about him].

"I talk to [Mushfiqur] especially when he is keeping. If the pitch is behaving in a certain way… I ask him, 'Mushfiq bhai, which length will be good here, and what pace will be good?' Whatever experience he has, when he tells me, I keep it in my mind. And then… I plan my game."