Mustafizur Rahman’s PSL 2026 fate in doubt as Bangladesh awaits govt clearance
Bangladesh cricketers' participation in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 is uncertain, awaiting government approval due to regional tensions. Six players were initially cleared by the BCB, but safety concerns have prompted a mandatory government consultation. The final decision rests with authorities, potentially impacting player availability for national duty.
Participation of Bangladesh cricketers in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 is now uncertain, with the final decision hinging on government approval amid ongoing regional tensions. A total of six Bangladesh players — Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Rishad Hossain — were initially granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by the Bangladesh Cricket Board after being picked in the league’s first-ever auction. However, the evolving situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has prompted the board to reconsider their participation, making government clearance mandatory.
BCB cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedin confirmed that the board will not take a final call without consulting the authorities. “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 provide clearance; they go, play, and return. But since the situation is not normal and there is a risk element concerning the players, obviously we will discuss it with the government," Abedin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on Thursday. “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 on whether the players will go or not.
Because it is not actually possible for us to understand the situation there. It is possible for the government to know. The government will know, and if the government tells us that it is safe to go and the players can travel, then the players will go.