New Delhi: Amid the ongoing border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will seek the government’s clearance to allow its players to participate in the PSL.
The Pakistan Super League is scheduled to begin on March 26, and six Bangladesh cricketers, including Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon (Lahore Qalandars), Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim (Peshawar Zalmi), and Rishad Hossain (Peshawar Zalmi), are set to participate in the tournament.
Earlier, the BCB granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to all the PSL-bound players, but has now decided to seek government permission due to security concerns arising from tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
‘We will seek government’s permission’: BCB cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedin
BCB cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedin told Cricbuzz that the situation in Pakistan is not normal, and there is a risk element concerning the players, and they will discuss the matter with the government.
“Of course, we will seek permission from the government before sending our cricketers for the PSL. Under normal circumstances, these things are not required. We will seek to know from the government whether it will be safe to travel or not, and based on that government decision, we will have to take the ultimate call,” BCB cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedin told Cricbuzz on March 19.
He further added that it is not possible for the board to understand the situation, and only the government can do that. Nazmul also said that if the government tell them that it is safe there, then players can travel.
If the players get the clearance from the government, then they will miss the preparatory camp for the white-ball series against New Zealand. The Blackcaps are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20I matches against Bangladesh from April 17 to May 2.
The Board has issued partial NOC’s to ensure that most of the players remain available for the ODI series, which is crucial for Bangladesh’s qualification in the 2027 ODI World Cup. If they manage to whitewash New Zealand in the ODI series, it would help them close the gap on eighth-placed England.
The eight top-ranked full members on the ODI ranking table will secure direct qualification for the World Cup, along with Zimbabwe and South Africa.