BD Cricket Board grants NOCs to players for HBL PSL 10
BCB has ended the uncertainty about its players' participation by issuing NOCs to Nahid, Litton and Rishad. PHOTO: AFP
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three Bangladeshi cricketers for participation in the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), according to Bangladeshi media reports on Thursday.
A total of three Bangladeshi players were selected in the PSL 10 player draft, which will take place from April 11 to May 18. Right-arm pacer Nahid Rana has been picked by Peshawar Zalmi, while Litton Das will play for Karachi Kings and Rishad Hossain has been roped in by Lahore Qalandars.
There had been some uncertainty about their participation due to Bangladesh's upcoming series against Zimbabwe, which includes two Test matches from April 20 to May 2. However, the BCB has now confirmed that Litton Das and Rishad Hossain will be available for the entire PSL season, while Nahid Rana has been given partial clearance.
Rana will join the PSL after the first Test against Zimbabwe, as the BCB intends to manage his workload.
The eagerly awaited PSL 10 is set to begin on Friday, April 11, with the defending champions, Islamabad United, facing two-time winners Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This season of the PSL will feature 34 matches, with the final scheduled to take place on May 18.
Tamim Iqbal back home after heart attack
Former Bangladeshi cricket captain Tamim Iqbal returned home Friday, days after suffering a massive heart attack during a local match.
The 36-year-old was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a match of the 50-over Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League when he was rushed to a nearby hospital complaining of severe chest pain on Monday.
He was given stenting surgery the same day and later moved to a bigger health facility in the capital Dhaka.
"After observing his health condition, we have decided to discharge him today," Shahabuddin Talukder, a doctor at Evercare Hospital told reporters.
He added that Tamim would have to maintain a rehabilitation program and modify his lifestyle.
"We hope he will be able to return to cricket soon," he added.
Abu Zafar of the Bangladeshi health ministry told reporters on Wednesday that it was uncertain whether Tamim would be able to return to cricket.
"Tamim won't be able to play sports for the next three months. If everything goes well, then he will be able to return," he said.
"Unfortunately, he is a smoker, which is a risk factor for heart attacks. He must stay away from it. He will have to follow doctors' advice."
Tamim scored more than 15,000 runs for Bangladesh in a career spanning 15 years and remains the only Bangladeshi to score hundreds in all formats of international cricket.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Babar Azam joins Sydney Sixers for BBL 15: Pakistani cricket icon shares reaction online
The Sydney Sixers have secured Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 15 season. The signing, confirmed on June 13, marks one of the most significant acquisitions in the history of the competition. Babar Azam, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in modern cricket, will bring his skill, consistency, and leadership experience to the Sixers this summer. As per BBL regulations, each team is allowed to sign one international player before the official BBL 15 Draft, which is set to take place on June 19. The Sixers capitalised on this opportunity to secure the services of the Pakistan cricket icon. The development also comes after PCB confirmed it issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to key Pakistani players, allowing Babar to join Sydney Sixers. A veteran of over a decade in Pakistan's national team, Babar captained the side from 2019 to 2024 and led them to the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 edition. Known for his poise under pressure and his technical mastery, he has consistently ranked among the world's top batters in both ODIs and T20Is. Babar's accolades include being named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2021 and 2022, as well as ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year in 2022. He also holds the record for the fastest player to reach 5,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 97 innings. With over 11,000 T20 runs to his name, Babar has proven himself a force in the shortest format of the game. Speaking on his signing, Babar expresses enthusiasm and stated he was 'super pumped' to be joining the side. His experience in major global leagues, including the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and various English domestic competitions, further bolsters his credentials. This high-profile signing will see Babar make his debut in the BBL and will add a powerful asset to the Sixers' squad. Notably, Babar will be available for the entire season, including the finals, significantly enhancing the team's prospects for the title. Sydney Sixers squad for BBL 15 (to date): Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
PSL11 likely to clash with IPL again
Like the 10th edition, the HBL Pakistan Super League season 11 is also likely to take place alongside the Indian Premier League in April-May next year. In that case, the home series against Zimbabwe will have to be rescheduled. Given the limited time, the proposal to hold the tournament this December seems highly difficult to implement. According to details, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is traditionally held in February-March, but this year, due to the ICC Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan, the event was pushed to April and May, overlapping with the IPL schedule. Next year, the ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled for February-March, forcing Pakistan to find new dates for its league. A proposal was made to hold the PSL in December-January, but due to unresolved key issues, organizing it that early seems unlikely. During this window, the PCB may instead hold the domestic Pentangular Cup, involving top star cricketers. Earlier this year, it was announced that PSL would be made into a separate company, and Salman Naseer has started working as its CEO. However, no major appointments have been made in other departments yet. With 10 editions now completed, the valuation of the existing six franchise teams will be carried out, following which a 25% increase in franchise fees is expected. Last December, all teams had confirmed in writing their intent to retain ownership. However, Multan Sultans' owner, Ali Tareen, repeatedly voiced concerns about financial losses. He has been silent recently, so it remains unclear whether he will keep the team or go for rebidding. Notably, this team currently pays over one billion rupees annually in fees, making it the most expensive franchise. Similarly, the board had announced the inclusion of two new teams starting from the 11th edition, but no progress has been made on that front either. Sources revealed that the 10-year title sponsorship agreement also needs to be renewed. There will be separate contracts for ground sponsorship in 810 categories, and for both local and international broadcasting. A new deal for live streaming will also be required. Currently, PCB earns about PKR 900 million annually from the title sponsorship. Last year, live streaming rights for Pakistan were sold for approximately PKR 1.8 billion. Local broadcast rights generated around PKR 6.3 billion, while international rights brought in $4.6 million. Ground rights were sold for around PKR 2 billion for two years. For TV production, PCB signed a two-year deal worth $2.25 million annually. Tenders will be issued for all these agreements, followed by lengthy processes. If the current format continues With the inclusion of two new teams, the number of PSL matches will rise from 34 to 54. Consequently, the value of all associated deals is expected to increase by about 30%. However, it is yet to be decided whether the new teams will follow the current financial model or if a new approach will be adopted. Franchise sources confirmed that the board has not yet discussed new teams with them, let alone any financial models. The final dates for PSL 11 have not yet been confirmed, though holding the tournament in April-May next year seems likely. A joint email was sent by franchises requesting a meeting of the PSL Governing Council to discuss key matters of the league. A response is expected in coming days. It's worth noting that the Pakistan team has a home series against Sri Lanka in November, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. December and January have been kept open for domestic events. In February, Australia is scheduled to visit for three T20Is, and the T20 World Cup will follow in February-March. In March, Australia will return for three ODIs, and at the end of March and in April, Pakistan is set to tour Bangladesh for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Zimbabwe's team is scheduled to tour Pakistan in April-May for three ODIs and three T20Is. To hold the PSL during this window, the PCB will have to reschedule the Zimbabwe series. Sources added that franchises' concerns about scheduling clashes with the IPL have decreased after the 10th edition. However, broadcasters and rights holders still have differing views. Holding PSL alongside IPL in April-May next year is a possibility, but a final decision will be made later.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
PCB grants NOCs to top Pakistani players for participation in leagues
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to a select group of players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, enabling them to participate in various high-profile international leagues this summer. This move comes as part of the board's broader strategy to give players valuable exposure while balancing their workload. According to the PCB's announcement, centrally contracted players are permitted to participate in only two foreign leagues per calendar year. The issuance of NOCs is therefore contingent on this rule, which the PCB uses to maintain a balance between players' international commitments and their opportunities to play in lucrative franchise competitions. Breakdown of Players and Leagues Several Pakistani cricketers are set to feature in some of the most renowned international leagues this summer. Among those granted NOCs are: Big Bash League: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan County Cricket : Mohammad Amir, Shan Masood, Kashif Ali, Abbas Afridi, Khawaja Khurram, Hasan Ali Global Super League : Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Nawaz Caribbean Premier League: Muhammad Nawaz, Hassan Khan Although Babar Azam's name has not yet appeared in the first phase of registrations for the Big Bash League (BBL) draft, the inclusion of his name in the PCB's NOC list suggests that he will be available for selection. The BBL 15 Draft, scheduled for June 19, 2025, will see several Pakistani players included in the pool, marking the first time players from Pakistan will be eligible for an entire BBL season. The NOCs, issued as a result of the PCB's strategic planning, aim to keep the players match-ready during off-seasons and offer them the chance to hone their skills in different playing conditions. This exposure is expected to help them return to national duty in top form, ready for key tournaments like the ICC T20 World Cup. The PCB's approach also aligns with the shifting dynamics of the global cricket calendar, which increasingly features overlapping franchise leagues. By allowing its top players to participate, the PCB ensures that they remain engaged with the game while preparing for future international commitments. Furthermore, with the rise of franchise cricket, the PCB's decision also reflects an understanding of the financial and career opportunities available to players through these leagues. The board's policy ensures that these opportunities are balanced with the players' national commitments, preventing burnout and allowing them to stay fresh and motivated. As the summer's international leagues approach, the PCB's strategic moves will help its players stay at the top of their game while contributing to the ongoing growth of Pakistani cricket on the global stage.
