During the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh for a two-match Test series. Due to their involvement in Bangladesh’s Test squad, there was uncertainty over whether Liton Das and Nahid Rana would receive NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to participate in the PSL.
Rumors suggested that even if they joined the PSL, they would have to stay for at least one Test against Zimbabwe.
However, those speculations have not entirely acted. Despite being an important part of Bangladesh’s Test squad in recent years, Liton has granted a full-season NOC by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as he will represent Karachi Kings.
Liton, who was signed as a backup for Tim Seifert, will play his first PSL match against Multan Sultans on April 12. Unlike Liton, Nahid Rana won’t be available for the entire season. He is required to play the first Test against Zimbabwe as part of Bangladesh’s workload management strategy.
A BCB source said, “Considering workload management, we haven’t granted Nahid a full-season NOC. He will play one Test against Zimbabwe before joining PSL. However, Liton and Rishad have been given permission to play the entire PSL.”
Set to play for Peshawar Zalmi, Nahid will receive his NOC from April 26, meaning he will miss at least Zalmi’s first five group-stage matches. Bangladesh will play the first Test against Zimbabwe at Sylhet International Stadium on April 20. As the match concludes on April 24, Zalmi will have already played five games.
Nahid could make his PSL debut on April 27 when Peshawar Zalmi face Quetta Gladiators. Meanwhile, Rishad Hossain, who is yet to debut in Test cricket, has been granted a full-season NOC. The young leg-spinner will be available for PSL from April 11, the opening day of the tournament.
Rishad will represent Lahore Qalandars as Qalandars’ team director Sameen Rana stated after the draft that they picked impressive Rishad in absence of Afghanistan star Rashid Khan. Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan is trying to secure a PSL contract.
Despite not being picked in the players’ draft, he is actively reaching out to IPL and PSL franchises, hoping to be considered as an in injury replacement. Recently cleared from his bowling ban, Shakib has resumed training in the USA, aiming to return to competitive cricket.
