As Mashrafe Bin Mortaza headed towards the net session, where Sylhet Strikers’ net bowlers were finding their rhythm, a player in a white jacket dashed in and struck the stumps.
The typical run-up to the crease, the movement in the air, and the subsequent breaking of stumps were not unexpected; the only surprise was that the bowler was Mustafizur Rahman, a Comilla Victorians player.
Despite the fact that BPL teams often share the pitch for net sessions, allowing players to catch up, players from various franchises do not go and bowl in the net session of another club.
Both the Sylhet Strikers and the Comilla Victorians are practicing at the BCB Academy Ground in Mirpur. Despite having played the first game of his franchise, Mashrafe participated in his first practice session yesterday, still attempting to restore fitness after a lengthy absence from the field.
Fizz clattered the stumps a couple times with speed, creating some true movement in the air. He would shortly indicate to Mashrafe to play with the ball himself, which Mash refused flippantly. Fizz would bowl a couple more as Mash looked on.
After Fizz produced a length ball that sped away from the stumps, Mash swivelled his hips to indicate that it would be flicked for six.
Soon, Fizz would return to Comilla’s nets, while Mash gently warmed up with a few looseners and a brief run up. Once he had a few in line, he started taking a lesson.
“Actually, we are more motivated by Mashrafe bhai’s presence on the pitch than by his performance. “His presence makes decision-making easier, which I believe is important for us,” Zakir stated the day before following Sylhet’s practice.
Zakir’s remarks rung true as Mashrafe demonstrated the strengths of his leadership. He went on to bowl a few deliveries, each time pointing to the seam direction and grip he was utilising before approaching the crease.
While the net bowlers watched, Dollar Mahmud, his fast bowling instructor, was an interested learner. Mashrafe bowled outswingers, getting the length at the top of the off-stump. Sylhet’s Rejaur Rahman Raja and spin coach were also in attendance.
Mashrafee’s lack of fitness this season has been widely discussed, as has the question of whether Sylhet can afford to lead a player who is only halfway fit.
But there is no dispute about how much he is still appreciated in the Sylhet dressing room, where the team finished second in their first season under his supervision.