Bangladesh cricket team [Source: AFP]Bangladesh cricket could see several of its established names enter another franchise window later this year, with the country's fast-bowling stocks and experienced core both attracting attention. The latest registration update has added three more familiar names to an expanding list, following an earlier entry from another Bangladesh international. Their participation, however, will not be determined by registration alone, with fitness, workload and Bangladesh's own commitments likely to shape what happens next.Bangladesh stars to feature for Afghanistan Premier League 2026Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim have registered for the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), joining Taskin Ahmed, who had entered the process earlier. The APL confirmed the three registrations through its official social media channels on Sunday.The player registration window for APL 2026 remains open until October 5, while the draft is scheduled for October 24. The Bangladesh contingent could therefore become an important part of the tournament's international pool, with all four players bringing very different franchise experience.The registrations do not mean all four will necessarily appear in the tournament. The BCB's NOC process remains the next major hurdle.Also Read- Shoriful Islam, 2 More Bangladesh Stars, Make Major ICC Rankings GainsWhat is the Afghanistan Premier League 2026?The Afghanistan Premier League is a city-based T20 franchise competition organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The relaunched tournament is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, with matches planned at ICC-approved venues in the UAE.The competition will feature five teams, combining Afghanistan's leading players with international names and emerging local cricketers. Three franchises have already been confirmed: Akcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors, with the teams competing for the Koh-E-Zafar trophy.The league is returning after a long gap. Its first edition was held in Sharjah in October 2018, when Balkh Legends won the title. Administrative, contractual and commercial issues then kept the competition away for eight years before the ACB announced its revival.Each team is set to play at least eight group-stage matches. The top side will advance directly to the final, while the second- and third-placed teams will meet in an Eliminator.Will all Bangladesh players get NOC for APL?For the four Bangladesh players, it will be important whether the BCB considers their participation compatible with national duty and workload management.Nahid Rana could face the closest workload scrutiny because of his age and fast-bowling demands. If he remains fit and Bangladesh do not have an overlapping international assignment, the APL could offer valuable T20 experience for the veteran. Mustafizur's case could also revolve around workload rather than franchise experience. His extensive T20 commitments make his fitness and recovery important considerations, particularly if Bangladesh have international cricket around the same period. Any injury setback before December would naturally strengthen the case for a cautious approach.Taskin Ahmed is another player whose availability could depend heavily on his fast-bowling workload and Bangladesh's upcoming commitments. Having registered earlier, his name is already in the draft pool, but an NOC would still require the BCB's clearance based on his fitness and national-team requirements.For the unaware, The BCB has previously withheld NOCs when national commitments or domestic requirements took priority. With the APL beginning on December 27, the final decision on these four players is therefore likely to come much closer to the tournament.Also Read- Pakistan To Be Barred From Playing Major Tournament Involving India
