Nazmul Hossain Shanto believes that Bangladeshi cricketers should participate more in overseas franchise leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Young pacer Nahid Rana, who has been making waves with his pace on the international stage, is now set to experience franchise cricket for the first time. He has been selected by Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, marking his debut in the prestigious league. However, his participation remains uncertain. Shanto, the captain of the Bangladesh national team, strongly supports Nahid playing in foreign leagues.
The 10th edition of the PSL is set to begin on April 11, with Nahid drafted by Peshawar Zalmi in the Gold category. Zalmi’s cricket director and bowling coach, Mohammad Akram, even referred to him as “Bangladesh’s speedster” while announcing the signing. However, the franchise might not get to see Nahid in action.
Bangladesh is set to host Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series, starting April 20 in Sylhet and April 28 in Chattogram. If Nahid is included in the Test squad, he will miss the start of the PSL. Even after Bangladesh’s Test series, only three group-stage matches would remain for Peshawar Zalmi, raising questions about whether they will still include him.
Apart from Nahid, Liton Kumar Das (Karachi Kings) and Rishad Hossain (Lahore Qalandars) have also secured PSL contracts. However, according to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruk Ahmed and Cricket Operations Chief Nazmul Abedin, none of them have applied for an official No Objection Certificate (NOC) yet.
For now, Nahid is playing for Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier League, where he is under the leadership of national captain Shanto. Speaking to the media during a practice session at the Mirpur Academy Ground on Monday, Shanto reiterated his belief that Nahid should play in the PSL and other overseas leagues.
“Nahid should play in tournaments like the PSL. Franchise cricket is important, but it depends on the cricket board, coaches, and team management,” Shanto said.
“I believe if our players get more exposure in foreign franchise leagues, they will gain experience and learn to take responsibility. Sharing a dressing room with international players will help them grow. I hope more of our cricketers get these opportunities in the future.”
Managing Nahid’s Workload
Nahid’s heavy workload has been a concern in recent discussions. Earlier this year, he played non-stop for Rangpur Riders in the BPL, which affected his performance. Even Bangladesh’s head coach, Phil Simmons, acknowledged the impact of his workload.
Shanto assured that Abahani is managing Nahid’s workload carefully.
“Nahid is a great prospect, and the cricketing world is already talking about him. The best part is that his workload management is being handled well, and he is playing accordingly,” Shanto added.
“By Allah’s grace, he is fit and maintaining his intensity. He will continue following the plans set by the board and the team. I hope he stays healthy and finishes the tournament strong.”
Fighting Spirit in the Bangladesh Team
In a recent interview, Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan jokingly said that the team calls on Nahid whenever they need a fiery response to sledging from opponents. Responding to this, Shanto emphasized that it’s not just Nahid but the entire team that stands up to the opposition.
“Zakir wasn’t wrong at all. Whether it’s Test cricket or white-ball formats where we haven’t been performing well, our players now have a stronger desire to win. We love playing aggressive cricket and meeting the opposition head-on,” Shanto explained.
“It’s not just Nahid Rana—everyone in our team, whether in batting or bowling, tries to fight back. In the past, we used to hold back, but now that has changed. I hope we continue improving both in performance and attitude.”
