Sports Desk:

Unable to  find a guaranteed place in the starting XI of Dhaka Metro team, former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful decided to move to Barishal Division in the forthcoming 21st edition of National Cricket League, scheduled to start on October 10.

This will be Ashraful’s first team in NCL outside Dhaka zone after he began his first-class career in 2000 as he mostly played for the Dhaka Metro team and occasionally for Dhaka Division.

National stalwart Mahmudullah decided to play for Dhaka Metro in the first two rounds of NCL this year leaving Ashraful’s place uncertain in the starting XI.

National selector Habibul Bashar said he was informed by Dhaka Metro that they won’t be able to play Ashraful in first two rounds of the competition as Mahmudullah will play the similar role in their team.

Ashraful said that he personally contacted one or two other teams after being informed of the matter and when he felt that Barishal would be suitable for him he decided to make the move.

‘I spoke to Barishal team two days back after hearing that I might not get enough matches while playing for Dhaka Metro. I think I need to play as many matches I can,’ Ashraful told New Age on Wednesday.

‘Some senior players from Sylhet – Alok Kapali, Enamul Haque Jnr wanted me to play with them but their officials didn’t want to take players from outside their zone.

‘Barishal’s board director Alo Bhai [Alamgir Khan], pacer Kamrul Islam showed interest in me for playing for Barishal Division which I felt was good for me. I was also searching for a team outside Dhaka,’ he added.

Barishal was also happy with Ashraful’s inclusion as they wanted a batsman who can also bowl after Al Amin Jnr moved to Dhaka Metro for this season.

‘I feel that players like Ashraful should not sit in the side-bench of first-class matches. I don’t think he should wait for another player,’ Barishal coach Saiful Islam told New Age.

‘We needed a batsman who can bowl as well. So we preferred Ashraful to play for our team,’ he added.

Despite getting a chance in Barishal team, Ashraful’s participation in the NCL still remained uncertain as he scored only 9.6 in the recent beep test, where he needed to score at least 11.

Bashar said that those who failed in the beep test must pass it if they are to play in the forthcoming NCL.

Along with Ashraful, several other senior cricketers like Tushar Imran, Abdur Razzak, Nasir Hossain and Dhiman Ghosh failed in the beep test held on Tuesday.

‘It is still unsure whether Ashraful can play for Barishal as he is yet to pass the beep test. Fitness is not an issue in his move to Barishal. But he must score 11 to play in the NCL for Barishal,’ said Bashar.

‘There will be more tests before the tournament starts and if they pass they will play from first round or they will have to wait for next tests which will take place before each round,’ he added.