BPL a platform for Misbah to retain form, fitness

Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who will represent the Shakib Al Hasan-led Rangpur Riders in the third season of the much hyped Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), hopes his stint in the prestigious T20 tournament will help him retain his fitness and keep him motivated to continue playing cricket.

The 41-year-old on Thursday departed for Bangladesh. The star-studded T20 tournament will roll onto the ground from November 22. Prior to that, a grand curtain-raiser ceremony will be held at te Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday. Bollywood superstars Hrithik Roshan and Jacqueline Fernandez will dazzle Mirpur’s Home of Cricket on the occasion of the opening ceremony, while it will also see popular Bangladeshi singers Ayub Bachchu and Momtaz perform alongside the foreign artists.

Responding to speculations regarding his future in Tests, the veteran Pakistan batsman said a decision will be made in due time. “There is plenty of time for me to decide when to retire. The BPL will help me retain my form and keep me going for some time. Whenever you play competitive cricket, your skills improve and you maintain your fitness, and that’s what BPL will give me.”