Pakistani batsman Ahmed Shehzad said he is happy to be back in Bangladesh to play for Dhaka Platoon in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20.
Shehzad was also effusive in his praise for Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, who he termed as his friend and a stylish batsman, Tigers ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza, and Platoon head coach Mohammad Salahuddin.
“I am thrilled. I am happy to be back in BPL. I like Mr. Salahuddin as coach. We won the tournament under his coaching for Comilla Victorians. Also Tamim Iqbal is my friend. He is very stylist and I like his playing (style) among the left-handers. And Mashrafe Mortaza, everybody knows what he has done for Bangladesh cricket. He is an inspiration for young players. I came [Wednesday] and [yesterday] was my first practice session. I enjoyed the training session,” said Shehzad to the media in Sylhet Thursday.
“Strong part of the team is I think local players. Like Tamim Iqbal, I am a fan of Tamim. He is a (stylish) top-order batsman. When he is on song, nobody in the world can stop him. Another player like him is Mashrafe. It’s easy for foreign players when you have these players in your team. Overseas players just need to cope up with the team and that’s enough.”
#Tamim, #Mahedi power .@DhakaPlatoon victoryhttps://t.co/vyFEPFK5bL
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) December 24, 2019
Shehzad went on to inform that Pakistan is now a safe place to play cricket and said the hospitality and delicious food there are incentives for the visiting countries to tour the country.
“I think Pakistan is a safe country, even it was safe before. Our troops are doing everything possible to bring back international cricket in Pakistan. They are providing excellent security to players. And everyone knows how hospitable Pakistan people can be. Sri Lanka just played against Pakistan few days ago. It was a successful tour,” said Shehzad.
“But obviously the decision is on Bangladesh Cricket Board. They will decide about the tour. But personally, I could go to Pakistan to play cricket and enjoy their hospitality and delicious food. For me Pakistan is the standard place to play cricket.”