KARACHI - Several Pakistan players who signed up for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with hopes to continue playing competitive cricket in the national side's 'off season' returned home disappointed after spending more time on the bench than on the field.
A hard-hitter in Twenty20 cricket and captain of Pakistan’s Test side, Misbah-ul-Haq was sidelined by his team Rangpur Riders for seven matches, giving preference to Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi instead.
“I can’t say much on this but I guess the team owners and coaches know what is required. But it is not easy sitting on the bench for so long,” Misbah told Press Trust of India (PTI) just before his team’s knockout game against Barisal Bulls on Dec 13.
The 41-year-old wasn’t the only player whose omission had surprised many in the cricketing circles; Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz too, were a bit disgruntled with time on the sidelines.
“I had made it clear to my franchise owners and management that I wanted to open in the BPL but after just two matches I didn’t get a proper [chance],” Kamran Akmal was quoted as saying by the PTI.
“I didn’t go there only for the money. I went there as I thought the BPL would allow me to further remind the selectors [that] I am doing well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ace fast bowler Wahab Riaz, according to Cricbuzz, was of the opinion that ‘it was better to return home midway through the BPL and walk the ramp in Lahore than to sit and waste time in Dhaka’.
“Obviously it is not easy to be ignored like this for majority [of] matches. It has been tough on Misbah but he has handled himself well,” Wahab, who was also signed by Rangpur Riders, said.