Taskin Ahmed playing for Bangladesh (Source: AP Photos)
Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has opted out of playing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, where he was supposed to represent Jaffna Kings. The decision came on Wednesday, despite him getting the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for LPL just a few days ago.
Earlier, BCB gave NOC to Taskin Ahmed, along with Litton Das, to play LPL 2026 in Sri Lanka. However, an unfortunate injury to Mustafizur Rahman before the start of recently-concluded Bangladesh versus Zimbabwe T20I series forced him to stay with the squad.
At that point, it was believed that Taskin might join Jaffna Kings in the middle of LPL 2026, only to see him ruling out of the entire season later.
Taskin Picks Bangladesh National Duty Over LPL Stint
Speaking with BDCrictime, BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Shahriar Nafees confirmed Taskin will not be playing for Jaffna Kings in LPL 2026. There, Nafees revealed the fast bowler kept Bangladesh tour of Australia 2026 in mind, which will get underway on August 13.
There will be two Tests between Australia and Bangladesh, to be held at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin and Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay respectively. Taskin wants to take a much-required break to be at his best during the two-match Test series, as Nafees mentioned.
"We had already granted Taskin an NOC to play in the LPL. He was supposed to travel to Sri Lanka after the ODI series in Zimbabwe, and the NOC was valid from July 12. But after Mustafizur got injured, we kept Taskin for the T20I series as well. Now he feels it's better to return home, take a few days' rest, and prepare for red-ball cricket instead of playing in the LPL," Shahriar Nafees told BDCrictime.
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"The Australia series is very important for Bangladesh. Taskin wants to be fully prepared for it, and we respect that decision. Hopefully, he will be in the best possible shape and lead Bangladesh's bowling attack in the Test series in Australia," he added.
Who Has Replaced Taskin Ahmed In Jaffna Kings Squad?
Even though Jaffna Kings have not replaced Taskin Ahmed anyone to their LPL squad yet, South Africa’s Lizaad Williams has made the cut as an overseas pacer in Jaffna’s playing XI for LPL 2026.
Thus far, Lizaad has fared significantly well in LPL 2026 for Jaffna Kings, returning figures of 2/28 and 3/14 in the first two matches.
Even though Jaffna have won once and lost once, Lizaad, Taskin Ahmed’s temporary replacement, did not let their ardent fans feel there is a major missing due to no presence of Taskin Ahmed.
Jaffna Kings are currently in action in LPL 2026, facing Colombo Kaps in Match 7 of ongoing edition at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. At present, Jaffna, led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, are 71/1 in 9.4 overs.
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