XtraTime Web Desk: Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal, T20I captain Mahmudullah and pacer Mustafizur Rahman have turned down offers for the upcoming season of Caribbean Premier League T20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s edition of the Caribbean Premier League will take place in a single venue Trinidad and Tobago. The tournament will run from Tuesday 18 August to Thursday 10 September.
Confirming their decision to Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday, Tamim said, “I decided not to take the offer firstly because of my commitment in Dhaka Premier League. The tournament is suspended but as you know we all are waiting for it to resume which can happen any time.”
Dhaka Premier League, the premier 50-over cricket tournament of the country, has remained suspended since March this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussions between Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB], Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis [CCDM] and the players are a regular effort in order to get the tournament back to the field.
The left hander also added, “And then there is also the issue with travelling. Due to the Covid-19 there is travel restriction and route to West Indies is very long. Say I make it to the islands but there is an emergency in my family, I will not be able to return easy. I do not want to take that chance.”
Mahmudullah meanwhile informed his family did not allow him to agree to the stint.
“We have to agree that the situation due to Covid-19 is not right. I shared with my family about the offer and they did not agree to it. I also thought it will not be right to put them in worry for me. Travelling to West Indies will be very hectic, with so many transits and regulations to follow; you never know what you will face.”
Tamim made his only appearance in the tournament in 2013 for St Lucia Zouks. The left-handed batsman played seven matches for the CPL T20 side and scored 162 with highest score of 75. Mahmudullah have also appeared in CPL just once, in 2017 for Jamaica Tallawahs and played five matches. He however did not have a notable performance scoring just 11 runs and pick here wickets. While left-arm pacer Mustafizur is yet to make his maiden appearance in the tournament.