Workload concerns prompt Hasan’s early return from Kent

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to cut short pacer Hasan Mahmud’s County stint with Kent, with the pacer set to return home soon to join the Asian Games camp, which begins in Mirpur on Sunday.

Hasan, who has taken 26 wickets in four matches in County Championship Division Two this season, was initially granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) until September 27. However, after being named in Bangladesh’s Asian Games squad, the BCB changed its decision and called him back to manage his workload.

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“He has been playing continuous cricket since joining County cricket around April. He played two matches, then went to Zimbabwe and played a Test. From there, he played in the Blast [Vitality Blast Men T20] and the LPL. After the LPL, he played two Tests against Australia. After those two Tests, he played two more County matches and has been bowling a high volume of overs per match,” BCB cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees told The Daily Star today.

“We have the Asian Games, the tour involving Afghanistan, the West Indies series, the South Africa tour, and domestic T20 cricket. Given the amount of cricket he has played and our upcoming schedule, his workload is getting excessive and he needs a break. That is why we decided he should return.” 

“When he was originally granted the NOC, he was only part of the Test squad. He is showing good performances for Bangladesh and in County cricket, which increases his opportunities for Bangladesh.

“He is returning now and will not participate further this season. They have two matches remaining, and he will go to the Asian Games, but right now he needs a break and fitness work. Considering everything, the BCB felt his workload was becoming excessive.”

Right now he needs a break and fitness work. Considering everything, the BCB felt his workload was becoming excessive.

Shahriar Nafees, BCB cricket operations in-charge

Meanwhile, chief selector Habibul Bashar said the Bangladesh ‘A’ team players, currently in South Africa, who are part of the Asian Games squad will join the camp after returning home.

Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Rishad Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin are among those players. Bangladesh ‘A’ won the three-match one-day series 1-0 after beating South Africa A by five wickets in Potchefstroom on Saturday to conclude their tour.

“Those A team players will probably join two days later,” Habibul said.

Bangladesh are expected to leave for Japan on September 25 for the Asian Games. They will enter the cricket competition at the quarterfinal stage and face the Group B winners -- Hong Kong, Malaysia or Oman -- on September 29.