Was Nasir deployed against the rules?
All-rounder Nasir Hossain’s one-match suspension was lifted and he returned to action in the ongoing third round of the National Cricket League, making Rangpur’s playing XI against Rajshahi yesterday.
He was chosen as a replacement for leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who was among the nine players summoned by national selectors to participate in the Tigers’ practice game in Mirpur.
Nasir was handed the ban after being found guilty of being involved in an altercation with the on-field umpire in the previous game against Dhaka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
“Coincidently, Nasir travelled with the team and paid his own expenses with the intention of attending the practice sessions. It would have been tough for Rangpur to fly in a new squad member for the game, which is why Nasir got included,” member of the national selection panel, Habibul Bashar, said yesterday.
However, there are questions surrounding the inclusion as, according to the regulations a bowler can take the field in place of a fellow bowler and the same applies for a batsman in case of replacements.
Nasir is an established batting all-rounder and replaced a full-time bowler, who made headlines on the first day of the game with a five-wicket haul.
Nasir was unbeaten on an 82-ball 55 with five boundaries and two sixes at stumps on day two in the first innings.
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