NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricketer
Shoaib Malik
is slated to make a comeback to the
Bangladesh Premier League
(
BPL
) franchise
Fortune Barishal
on February 2, making him eligible for their upcoming match against
Khulna Tigers
, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Last week, Shoaib unexpectedly departed from the BPL after participating in only three games for the franchise.
He subsequently issued a statement on X, clarifying the reason behind his abrupt exit.
Shoaib explained that he had a pre-arranged media commitment in Dubai.
"I would like to address and dismiss the recent rumors circulating about my playing position with Fortune Barishal. I had a thorough discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, and we mutually planned the way forward. I had to leave Bangladesh for a pre-committed media engagement in Dubai. I extend my best wishes to Fortune Barishal for their upcoming matches, and if needed, I am available to support them if needs be," Shoaib said in a statement on X.
The exit of the 42-year-old became a topic of discussion, especially after Fortune Barishal owner Mizanur Rahman, in an interview with Sports 24, disclosed that Shoaib had departed from the team to reunite with his family in Dubai.
"He left after the third game, and told me that he wants to come back on February 6. We have [next] three games in Sylhet, so I told him that it won't work for us," Mizanur said in that chat. "I think he went to meet his family in Dubai," Rahman told Sports 24 as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
Rahman went on to deny the comments he made to Sports 24 in a video posted on the franchise's Facebook page.
"We haven't spoken to anyone in the media. Shoaib Malik is a good player. He gave his 100% to our team. He tried his level best. We haven't complained about him to anyone. Let us not talk about it and make it a big deal. We have lost two matches, so we should concentrate on the next matches," Rahman said.
Another reason for the criticism that Shoaib is currently facing is due to his three no-balls in a single over in Barishal's second game against Khulna Tigers in Mirpur on January 22.
Shoaib bowled the fourth over, overstepped three times and leaked 18 runs during Barishal's defeat.
He is the only spinner to overstep three times in an over in men's T20s (where data is available with ESPNcricinfo). Only Barbadian cricketer Miguel Cummins bowled more front-foot no-balls in an over, overstepping five times in 2014 during a CPL match.
(With inputs from ANI)
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