With the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 nearing its business end, two teams in defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi have been handed a massive setback. With Zalmi already securing a spot in the playoffs and the Qalandars fighting for one, they will miss key players in Nahid Rana and Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of the PSL 2026 season following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision.
On Thursday, April 23, the BCB withdrew the No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) of the two pacers. While Mustafizur Rahman will undergo rehabilitation due to injury concerns, Nahid Rana is set to prioritise Test training. In a statement, BCB informed, “Following the conclusion of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, the team’s medical staff has reviewed the condition of national team pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman.”
They further added, “It has been decided that the player will undergo an immediate scan to further assess his condition, after which he will commence a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCB Medical Team.” Notably, Mustafizur Rahman missed the opening two games of the ODI series and made a return in the final ODI, finishing with the figures of 5/43 in his 9 overs.
Nahid Rana to prepare for Test series vs Pakistan
Fast bowler Nahid Rana, who was part of the Peshawar Zalmi squad in PSL 2026, has also been sidelined from the remaining season, allowing him to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. It is to be noted that Pakistan is scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, which will be played from May 8 till May 20.
Speaking of Rana’s performance in PSL 2026, the Bangladesh pacer scalped 7 wickets in 4 matches he featured in for Peshawar Zalmi, averaging 10.85. However, Rahman picked up 6 wickets in 5 matches, averaging 20.33.
