In the Bangladesh Premier League player auction held
on Sunday (September 24), Fortune Barishal selected wicket-keeper batsman
Mushfiqur Rahim for the future competition, which will take place in January
2024.
Prior to the player auction, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim
Iqbal had already changed their respective franchises, therefore Mushfiqur was
the centre of attention. Despite having the chance to sign him as a direct
signing, neither his previous team, the Sylhet Sixers, nor any other organisations
expressed interest in doing so. That option was taken by Fortune Barishal and
Rangpur Riders to hire Shakib and Tamim, respectively, for the upcoming season.
With this scenario in action, Mushfiqur—the only local
player in Category A with a price cap of TK 80 Lakh—came under the limelight,
and his friend Tamim seized the chance to pursue him.
The first team to select a player from the draught was
Rangpur Riders, and they chose their dependable opener Rony Talukdar, who
scored a tonne for them in the previous BPL.
Mominul Haque, a former captain of Bangladesh in Test
matches, and Sabbir Rahman, a batter, were famous players who were passed over
by the teams in the player’s draught on Sunday.
Defending champions Comilla Victorians head coach
Mohammad Salahuddin said they are confident to defend the title with the squad
they have that includes several leading local and foreign cricketers.
“We have a very balanced side and we are hopeful
to defend the title,” said Salahuddin adding that he is happy to pick
Rahkeem Cornwall from the draft as he will bring balance in the squad.
“He (Cornwall) will certainly bring balance in
our squad and we are delighted to get him in the player’s auction,” added
Salahuddin.