IPL 2023: Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan players could face shadow ban in future IPL Auctions. The reason is the antics of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket. More so than Sri Lanka, it’s Bangladesh. Like every other season, BCB has charted its own course with bilateral series during IPL. This time, only three Bangladeshi players will be in IPL but all of them — Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das and Mustafizur Rahman — will be available only from April 9 to May 5 and again from May 15 onwards. Neither BCCI nor franchises are happy with BCB’s NOC. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
While BCB has a valid reason as players will three players are crucial to the teams’ plans going into World Cup 2023, they registered at the IPL 2023 Auction knowing they could miss the tournament partly. All four Sri Lankan players in IPL 16 will miss the first week of the tournament. They will be available after the conclusion of New Zealand tour on April 8.
“It is what it is. We can’t complain because it’s the BCCI that negotiates with other boards. But of course, franchises will be sceptical about picking players from certain countries. If you see, Taskin (Ahmed) did not get the NOC and now this. If they don’t want their players to play, they should not register. But, for sure, the perception about Bangladeshi players will change in future,” a franchise official told InsideSport.
In all, there will be 7 players from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. While Bhanuka Rajapaksa is available for the entire tournament, other three Sri Lanka stars — two from CSK — will be available from the second week.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon has confirmed that Shakib, Litton and Mustafizur will be unavailable for IPL during Bangladesh matches.
“You see, I have been asked about this issue over and over again, and I’ve given a single answer. Before they were called in the IPL auction, they IPL officials asked us about the players’ availability and we gave them [the schedule]. And knowing this, they proceeded with the auction. I don’t see any option for them to be unavailable for Bangladesh games. It’s not like we had told them that we might think about it, then there would’ve been some doubt. We have made it clear. I don’t see any chance of a change of heart, to be honest,” Nazmul Hassan told local media.
This is not the first time, franchises have faced such an issue. In the past, England players also missed out on the IPL after ECB refused NOC. Only after assurances from ECB and the BCCI that franchises agreed to take English players on board. This time, Taskin Ahmed was ignored despite prolific numbers as he failed to accept Lucknow Super Giants’ offer as a Mark Wood replacement last season. Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson were also ignored after the two left midway through the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
As for the BCCI, although it is furious at BCB’s decision, the Indian board is taking a wait-and-see approach. Franchises are likely to seek clarity on BCB’s stance before the IPL 2024 auction. There are chances that all Bangladeshi players are released before the next season.
“It is completely up to the players to convince their boards. England, New Zealand and other prominent boards have figured out a way to maintain the status quo. Nobody can deny the popularity of IPL and by releasing players, boards get their share as well. But if they decide otherwise, it is up to them,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (RCB) – April 8
- Matheesha Pathirana (CSK) – April 8
- Maheesh Theekshana (CSK) — April 8
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa (PBKS) – Available
- Litton Das (KKR) – Unavailable till April 8, Unavailable from May 7-14
- Shakib Al Hasan (KKR) – Unavailable till April 8, Unavailable from May 7-14
- Mustafizur Rahman (DC) – Unavailable till April 8, Unavailable from May 7-14
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