Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is unaffected after not getting picked for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League Twenty20.
Mushfiq had initially not registered for the IPL auction, held Thursday in Kolkata.
But a request by the IPL made Mushfiq change his decision, while in the media, it emerged that one of the IPL teams were reportedly interested in the Tigers stumper-batsman.
But as it happened, the 32-year old Mushfiq, along with six other Bangladeshis had gone unsold for the season.
“I had initially decided not to name myself [in the auction]. I know well that I will go unsold so there is no point of giving my name. But then they requested me to put my name, and I thought there might be a chance [for a team to pick me],” said Mushfiq to the media at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Saturday.
“But it [the selection] did not happen and it is not in my hand. It doesn’t matter if it [getting picked in IPL auction] happens or not. It is not a big matter to me. There is nothing beyond playing for Bangladesh. Life moves on. Now it’s BBPL and my focus is on this tournament,” the former Bangladesh captain added.
Wicketkeeper-batsman @mushfiqur15 fired from all cylinders to guide Khulna Tigers to their second win of the season, in as many Bangabandhu @BCBtigers Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 games.https://t.co/Q38YIoXgYF#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 17, 2019
Mushfiq going unsold in the IPL 2020 auction caused a stir on social media.
His recent form in the shortest format of the game, including a match-winning unbeaten 60 off 43 balls against India in New Delhi last month had ignited hope of a possible selection for IPL.
In the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League T20, the right-handed batsman has scored 153 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 156.12, including the highest score of 96 (51 balls) for Khulna Tigers.
“I am not much aware about it [if any team had showed interest to get my name in the auction]. I got to know about it through the media that some team might have shown interest in me. So I know it that way. But I am not aware of anything else,” Mushfiq informed.
When queried if he will participate in the IPL auction in future, Mushfiq said, “Future will decide.”