The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has changed their decision to withdraw Nahid Rana’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The right-arm fast bowler had played four matches for Peshawar Zalmi from April 8 to 13 in Karachi, taking 7 wickets at 10.85 and an economy rate of 5.42.
Nahid Rana rested from PSL
Rana returned to Bangladesh and featured in the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand from April 17 to 23. The 23-year-old ended up as the highest wicket-taker, claiming 8 wickets. No other bowler took more than 5 wickets in the series. His exploits included a 5-wicket haul in the second ODI as Bangladesh clinched the series 2-1 at home.
Subsequently, Rana was to rejoin Zalmi. However, the BCB withdrew his NOC, citing workload management. With a 2-match Test series coming up, where Bangladesh will host Pakistan for 2 Test matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, BCB decided to keep Rana fit and ready.
BCB reverse NOC withdrawal
He was rested for the first two matches of the 3-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will end on May 3. After the 2nd T20I was washed out in Chattogram on April 29, the BCB has decided to allow Rana to return to the PSL. Since Zalmi have qualified for the PSL 2026 final after beating the Islamabad United in the Qualifier 1 on April 28, Rana will be allowed to play the trophy match on May 3 in Lahore.
“This decision has been made considering the significance of participating in the final of a major global franchise competition, which is viewed as an important step in the continued development of the player. More importantly, the team management and BCB medical team has provided clearance, confirming that his participation in the match will not adversely affect his fitness, workload management or availability for national duty,” the BCB said in a statement.
Zalmi owner Javed Afridi took to social media to thank newly appointed BCB President Tamim Iqbal for allowing Rana to return for the PSL 2026 final. The fast bowler will leave Lahore after the match and report to Dhaka as early as possible, as the Pakistan Test series is scheduled to commence on May 8, just five days after the final.
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