Sports Desk:

Wicketkeeper-batter Akbar Ali remains optimistic about his chances of earning a spot in the top six as a specialist batter in the star-studded Rajshahi Warrior side ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

“Look, every player expects to play, and I also have that expectation — that Inshallah I will play (as a batter),” Akbar said on Sunday after Rajshahi’s practice session at the academy ground of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

“But as I said, this is completely a team management decision about who plays and who doesn’t. I am ready, and whenever the need arises, Inshallah I am ready to play in any role,” he added, underlining his willingness to adapt according to the team’s requirements.

On Saturday, Rajshahi coach Hannan Sarkar confirmed that veteran Mushfiqur Rahim will take on wicketkeeping duties for the team, with Akbar set to feature purely as a batter. The 38-year-old Mushfiqur was also seen working on his wicketkeeping skills during training, indicating Rajshahi’s likely combination going into the tournament.

Akbar, however, comes into the BPL on the back of a productive few months in the domestic circuit. He captained Rangpur Division to titles in both the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 and the four-day competition, while also leading the Bangladesh A team to the final of the ACC Emerging Asia Cup earlier this year, further strengthening his credentials as both a leader and a performer.

He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the NCL T20, amassing 222 runs at an impressive strike rate of 147, numbers that highlighted his growing confidence and adaptability in the shorter format.

Yet, when asked directly about his batting pedigree and role clarity, Akbar chose to steer clear of any potential controversy. “Look, this is actually difficult for me to answer, and it wouldn’t be right for me to comment on it. That’s because I don’t want any of my comments to put the team environment in an awkward or uncomfortable situation. So I would say it’s all up to them,” he said, maintaining a cautious and team-first stance.

When the discussion turned to Mushfiqur Rahim taking over the gloves, Akbar reiterated his respect for the decision and the senior pro. “Look, it is completely the team management’s decision who does what. But since you mentioned Mushfiq bhai, of course having him in the team is a big blessing. I would say there is a lot to learn from him, and I think every player can take something from him. So we will also try to take as much as possible from him,” Akbar added.