Afghanistan Series Postponed, Players to Participate in Franchise Leagues

The Bangladesh cricket team was scheduled to tour India at the end of July to play a series of three ODIs and three T20Is against Afghanistan. However, considering the weather conditions in Greater Noida during that period, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to postpone the series. Both boards mutually agreed to postpone the series due to expected adverse weather conditions.

Due to the postponement of the Afghanistan series, the BCB has decided to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its contracted players. This allows several players to participate in various franchise leagues during the period initially set aside for the Afghanistan series.

Shahriar Nafees, in charge of BCB's cricket operations, recently told 'The Cricbuzz,' "We were not prepared to play the series against Afghanistan in July because, according to weather reports, there will be rain in Greater Noida at that time."

"After both boards agreed to reschedule the series to a more convenient time, we decided to issue NOCs to our players upon their request."

"When they learned that the white-ball series against Afghanistan in July was off, they decided to apply for NOCs to participate in various franchise-based T20 tournaments."

Participation in Franchise Leagues

Several Bangladeshi players will now be seen in action in various franchise leagues:

• Lanka Premier League (LPL)

  • Mustafizur Rahman and Towhid Hridoy will represent Dambulla Sixers.
  • Taskin Ahmed will play for Colombo Strikers.
  • The 5th edition of LPL is set to begin on July 1.

• Global T20 Canada

  • Shakib Al Hasan and Shariful Islam have been signed by Bangla Tigers Mississauga.
  • Mohammad Saifuddin and Rishad Hossain will play for Montreal Tigers and Toronto Nationals, respectively.
  • The tournament is scheduled to start on July 25.

• Major League Cricket (MLC)

  • Shakib Al Hasan is expected to play for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. The MLC will commence on July 5.

The postponement of the series has also benefited Afghan players, allowing many of their star cricketers to participate in the LPL, Global T20 Canada, and MLC with various teams.

This rescheduling decision not only addresses weather concerns but also provides both Bangladeshi and Afghan cricketers the opportunity to gain valuable experience and exposure by participating in multiple international franchise leagues.