Shoriful Islam, who initially went unsold in the auction, was recently signed by Peshawar Zalmi. He will be joined in the squad by fellow pacer Nahid Rana, who secured his place through the auction.
Other Bangladesh players set to feature in the tournament include Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Parvez Hossain Emon.
Mustafizur has been signed directly by Lahore Qalandars for 6.44 crore Pakistani rupees, while Emon will also represent the same franchise after being bought for 6 million rupees in the draft. Rishad, meanwhile, will play for Pindiz for 3 crore rupees.
However, there is uncertainty over whether these players will receive No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as Bangladesh are scheduled to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series around the same time.
BCB’s cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim indicated that players may be released for the T20I series but not for the ODIs.
“We will try to ensure that the players we need here remain available. Naturally, we will not compromise on the ODI series. But if we feel that allowing a player to play there will help his development, and at the same time we have alternatives here, then we may allow them to go. That is the policy we are following,” Fahim said.
The BCB is also considering giving opportunities to alternative players in the T20I series if some regulars participate in the PSL.
“Our effort will be to protect our own interests while giving as much flexibility as possible. The PSL is also a good competition, and if our players go there they will gain valuable experience. That could help them become more mature players. With that in mind, we will take the decisions, although the final call has not yet been made,” he added.
Bangladesh’s ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled for April 17, 20 and 23, followed by T20Is on April 27, 29 and May 2. The PSL season, meanwhile, runs from March 26 to May 3.
