‘Of course, country comes first,’ Bulbul says on Mustafizur’s NOC

Bangla Press Desk:    Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has addressed the issue of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bulbul spoke to reporters on Wednesday, a day after Mustafizur was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL mini-auction following an intense bidding war. The Bangladesh fast bowler was sold for INR 9.2 crore.

Commenting on Mustafizur’s NOC, Bulbul said the decision would depend on the scheduling and potential clashes with Bangladesh’s international commitments.

“Since as the President, I don't interfere in departments. It depends on where the IPL fixture conflicts with our international format, and the formats he plays, if there is any conflict with those formats. Of course, the country comes first, then everything else,” Bulbul said.

Earlier, Bangladesh Cricket Board director and Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman is expected to be available for almost the entire Indian Premier League.

BP/SP