National Team and Fitness Come First, BCB Takes Firm Stance on Nahid Rana

The dominance of Bangladesh’s red-and-green jerseyed players with bat and ball on foreign soil has increasingly become a familiar sight, bringing a positive atmosphere within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as well. The impressive bowling displays of Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed in County Cricket, along with all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s fighting performances in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), have continued to make the board proud. BCB’s top officials are highly satisfied with the way the players are making the most of their opportunities abroad and giving their all to contribute to their respective teams’ victories.

However, despite lucrative offers from franchise leagues, the BCB is not willing to deviate from its core policy. The national team’s needs are being given the highest priority over individual interests or franchise commitments. Most recently, two franchises from Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) expressed interest in signing Bangladesh’s emerging pace sensation Nahid Rana and even contacted him directly. However, as he is not yet in optimal physical condition for the national team, the board is not currently prepared to give him the green light to play overseas. BCB Cricket Operations Department in-charge Shahriar Nafees spoke about Rana’s fitness and rehabilitation updates at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Reiterating Nahid Rana’s current physical condition and bowling fitness status, Shahriar Nafees said, “Nahid is still not fully fit. He is undergoing rehabilitation. Until he regains his bowling fitness, we are not considering franchise cricket.”

Explaining the board’s policy and the scope of issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs), the head of the Cricket Operations Department said, “The Bangladesh team comes first, followed by the player’s physical well-being. Only after that do we consider franchise leagues. So far this year, the BCB has issued 29 NOCs. The board is keen to provide players with opportunities to play abroad. However, we are keeping an eye on ensuring that it does not have any impact on the national team’s performance.”