Bangladesh denies NOC to players for Lanka Premier League

Bangladesh Cricket Board has dealt another blow to Sri Lanka Cricket. Shortly after asking for the postponement of the bilateral series in Sri Lanka, BCB has said that it would not grant NOCs to its players for the Lanka Premier League.

Bangladesh cricketers, including seasoned all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan, were among the key overseas talent for SLC’s ambitious league, which has already been deferred several times due to various reasons.

Shakib is currently serving an International Cricket Council for failing to report corrupt approaches made to him. His ban will come to the end in October. The seasoned pro will thus be in a position to return to action with the LPL, slated from November 14 to December 6.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the board will not provide Shakib with an NOC for LPL. Other Bangladeshi cricketers, listed for the LPL, will also miss this T20 inaugural edition of the five-team league.

“I don’t see any possibility. And at the same time, we also are going to host domestic cricket,” Nazmul Hassan said replying a question regarding Shakib’s participation in LPL.

The decision seems to be the outcome of the BCB stand to postpone the bilateral series in the Emerald Island over a disagreement over the COVID-19 protocols, which made it mandatory for the Bangladesh team to serve 14 days in quarantine upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

As per the regulation of the Sri Lanka government, everyone entering Sri Lanka needs to maintain a 14-day quarantine. BCB had asked their counterparts Sri Lanka Cricket to trim this period to seven days, but Sri Lanka’s government refused it.

The Health Department in Sri Lanka had declined to relax the COVID-19 protocols for the Bangladesh team.

The SLC is compelled to postpone the three-match Tests series, slated for October this year, to 2021.

BCB said it’s not possible for them to continue with this tour maintaining the health guidelines provided by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

While the Sri Lanka tour is postponed, BCB is eying to host domestic cricket from mid-October. Shakib might resume his career with a domestic event once his ban is over.

Admin Sportz Front

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