Mustafizur Rahman Mohsin Naqvi. Image Credits: AFP
The Bangladesh vs New Zealand ODI and T20I series has been announced to run from April to May. With excitement gathered over the furious clash in the subcontinent, the Pakistan Super League is seemingly playing the spoilsport.
With Mustafizur Rahman reportedly out of the Bengal Tigers squad, it seems like another left-arm pacer, Shoriful Islam, also has a scarce chance of joining the national squad since the PSL will run from late March to early May.
Missing out on his Indian Premier League stint, Mustafizur Rahman was signed directly by PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars ahead of the PSL 2026 auction. Hence, the only obstruction that remains now is acquiring the No Objection Certificate from the national cricket board.
Bangladesh and its strict NOC policies
Notably, the BCB has been strict with its NOC policies and has not allowed players to travel to other countries to play foreign leagues.
However, the recent report of the pace trio, Rahman, Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam not featuring in the T20I squad against New Zealand has sparked debates.
Notably, Bangladesh is set to play the visitors for a three-match T20I series after the ODI series conclusion, as the first T20I is scheduled from April 27.
With the Pakistan Super League tournament to go on till the month of May, Rahman alongside the other pacers, is unlikely to participate in the national fixtures. The BCB, though, has leaned in support of the cricketers, encouraging and handing them partial NOCs ahead of PSL 2026.
Also Read: Shaheen Afridi Puts Mustafizur Rahman's PSL Participation In Doubt After IPL Snub
BCB agrees to hand NOCs to Mustafizur Rahman and others for PSL 2026
Sources told The Daily Sun that the BCB is set to hand Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur and all other Bangladeshi cricketers in PSL a partial NOC to allow them to skip the national encounter.
“This is the policy we are following. We will try to protect our own interests while giving as much flexibility as possible. The PSL is also a good competition, and if our players participate there it will be a valuable experience for them,” BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim told on Monday.
This decision quietly underlines the importance of playing franchise cricket, yet it means the axe will be falling on players with franchise league affinity more often, even though it's not in a negative light.
Rahman to get partial NOC
Mustafizur Rahman has been a big franchise cricket player. The 30-year-old has played in more than 12 franchises across the world, and it seems like the BCB is also partially allowing Rahman to stay out of international commitments to help him explore outside opportunities.
“It could help them mature further as cricketers. Keeping that in mind, these decisions will be made. We have not taken a final decision yet, but we hope it will be made very soon,” Nazmul Abedeen added.
Franchise cricket to hurt Bangladesh’s long-term goal?
While franchise cricket around the world has been a phenomenon, it still stings with a rising question of whether it is hurting international cricket as a whole.
In case of the West Indies, many star players like Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine have taken early retirements to play lucrative mega cricket leagues and Mustafizur Rahman’s Pakistan affinity and will to play in the land of Men in Green is also something that Bangladesh should not overlook.
Nevertheless, Fizz will be joining the Qalandars squad soon with fellow cricketer Parvez Hossain Emon. Meanwhile, Nahid Rana will be expected to join the Peshawar Zalmi squad before March 26.
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