The ongoing season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) captured attention for a different reason—the rumor of the contract termination of Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik by his team, Fortune Barishal, news that the team's owner denied, reports UNB.

Malik bowled three no-balls against Khulna Tigers in a first Dhaka phase match for Barishal. After the Dhaka phase, Malik flew to Dubai to be with his family, and Barishal stated that he left for the entire season.

Mizanur Rahman, owner of the Barishal team, trashed the speculation stating, “This is false news. We did not do anything like that.” He addressed the rumours about terminating Malik's contract, adding that they might consider bringing Malik back in the later phase of BPL if he is available.

An hour after speaking with UNB, Mizanur appeared in a video message shared on the Barishal team's social media page, expressing his condemnation of the rumours regarding Malik.

“I would like to thank all supporters of Fortune Barishal,” he said. “We have heard many things regarding Shoaib Malik. I’m protesting those. Shoaib Malik is a good player, and he gave his best game for us. We don’t want to talk about this more. We have lost two consecutive matches; now we have to concentrate on the next match.”

After Malik left the team, Barishal signed two more Pakistani players—Ahmad Shehzad and Akif Javed.

After the initial Dhaka phase, BPL is now in Sylhet for a phase of 10 matches. After Sylhet, BPL will return to Dhaka before traveling to Chattogram, and then return to Dhaka for the final phase.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan