Bangladesh Put International Duty First as Shoriful Denied County Move

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has blocked fast bowler Shoriful Islam from joining Kent in the County Championship, citing workload management concerns ahead of a packed international schedule. The decision, confirmed by BCB cricket operation in-charge Shahriar Nafees on Tuesday, comes despite the 26-year-old being lined up to follow Hasan Mahmud into the Kent dressing room.

Shoriful, who is returning from a hamstring injury, was deemed a fitness risk by the board’s medical department and team management. Nafees explained that releasing the left-arm seamer for county cricket could compromise his availability for Bangladesh’s upcoming assignments.

“Shoriful was not given NOC considering his workload and upcoming international assignments, because in the next three months we have five Tests, seven T20s, and six ODIs,” Nafees told iGK. “Shoriful is the kind of player who plays all formats. Plus he’s just coming back from a hamstring injury.”

The BCB’s concern centres on the cumulative toll of four county matches on a bowler still regaining full match fitness. “If we give him an NOC for four county matches, the amount of pressure that will put on his body, we’re concerned he might not be fully fit for all those international matches,” Nafees added. “That’s why the team management and medical department feel it’s more important for him to train rather than play, and be fit and ready for the international matches.”

While Shoriful was denied permission, Kent secured the services of another Bangladesh pacer. Nafees confirmed that Khaled Ahmed has been granted an NOC for the county stint, with the board satisfied that his fitness and recent workload pose no such concerns.

“Khaled was given an NOC for Kent as he is fully fit and hasn’t played too many matches in the recent past,” Nafees said.

The decision reflects the BCB’s delicate balancing act between providing players with valuable overseas exposure and safeguarding their availability for national duty. For Shoriful, the enforced rest period will now be spent training under the supervision of the Bangladesh support staff, with the board hopeful that he will be fully recovered and match-ready when the international season resumes.

                                               

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