![Bangladesh cricket team in action [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784900661139_BangladeshTeam.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh cricket team in action [Source: AFP]
Heavily in the news in recent times, Jaffna Kings continue to grab headlines, heading into the second week of the Lanka Premier League 2026. The franchise has decided to rope in an unsold Bangladesh star into the roster after Taskin Ahmed decided to opt out of the season to focus on red-ball cricket.
In the early days of the season, Jaffna Kings have already been the most talked-about team in the league — all for the wrong reasons. However, two wins in their first four fixtures have kept the team in high spirits, as they look to defend their title.
Bangladesh batter replaces teammate in LPL
On Friday afternoon, just a day after their heavy defeat to the Galle Gallants, Jaffna Kings have made a move to sign Towhid Hridoy to solve their batting woes. He will replace Taskin Ahmed in the team, after the latter pulled out of the tournament to prepare for the upcoming Australia Tests.
Hridoy had initially gone unsold in the player drafts, having entered his name in the Gold Category, i.e., with the base price of USD 30000. However, the exact figures after coming in as a replacement are not disclosed by the team.
The right-hand batter, who can bat anywhere in the top-4, will join former Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the Jaffna Kings setup.
Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan’s Dolly Drop In Lanka Premier League Raises Serious Doubts On Match Fixing Integrity
Towhid Hridoy’s LPL record
Towhid Hridoy is a regular starter for Bangladesh, with 65 T20I caps, scoring 1409 runs at a slightly underwhelming strike rate of 125.91 with 7 fifties to his name. He has also scored 1698 ODI runs in 56 matches for them.
Notably, he has also featured in the Lanka Premier League previously in 2023 and 2024. In his first season, he played 6 matches and scored 155 runs at a strike rate of 135.96 with a fifty to his name for the Jaffna Kings. He returned to the LPL 2024 but only scored 1 run in 2 innings for Dambulla Sixers.
This last-minute contract comes as a respite for him after a poor series in Zimbabwe, where he got 14, 6 and 24 runs in the three innings he batted. Now, he has a chance to potentially walk into the playing XI after the team was bowled out for 133 in their last match against the Gallants while chasing 194.
Jaffna Kings LPL 2026 controversies
Before signing the Bangladesh batter on Friday, Jaffna Kings have been under the scanner throughout the initial days of the tournament. Early on in the competition, one of their owners, Manjot Kalra, was arrested on match-fixing allegations after the senior players reported an alleged bribery attempt.
Days later, Sri Lanka Cricket terminated the owners, and the board has taken over the operational control and Innovative Production Group for the rest of the season.
Previously, the Jaffna-based team has won four LPL titles and is the most successful team in the competition. So, this new addition now gives them a boost and adds to the excitement of how the players continue to shine on the pitch, regardless of what is happening outside of it.
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