Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is set to miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the entire Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season. The tournament begins on April 11 and runs until May 18.
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Litton Das Prioritizes PSL Over Zimbabwe Tests
According to Cricbuzz, Litton confirmed that he had received full clearance to play in PSL 2025, where he was picked by Karachi Kings in the PSL Draft on January 13.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana, who was selected by Peshawar Zalmi, will join the PSL later after playing the first Test against Zimbabwe. His partial NOC was granted due to workload management. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, drafted by Lahore Qalandars, has also received a full NOC since he is not part of Bangladesh’s Test squad.
National Duty vs Franchise Cricket – Ongoing Debate
The decision to grant NOCs for PSL participation has reignited discussions in Bangladesh cricket about balancing international commitments and franchise leagues.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who led the team in the recent ICC Champions Trophy, has previously spoken in favor of allowing players to compete in T20 leagues, emphasizing its benefits for their development.
However, the clash between the PSL and Bangladesh’s Test series has led to concerns. Bangladesh’s Test preparations start in the second week of April, while the Zimbabwe series runs from April 20 to May 2, directly overlapping with PSL matches.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz Confident in Squad Depth
With several senior players recently retiring—including Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Tamim Iqbal—all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has urged the team’s experienced players to step up.
“Currently, there are six to seven players in the team who have been playing international cricket for 7-10 years. They can’t be considered new anymore,” Mehidy stated.
Bangladesh’s campaign in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy ended disappointingly, as they failed to progress beyond the group stage, finishing third in Group A with two losses and one washout.
With key players prioritizing franchise cricket, Bangladesh will need to rely on their emerging talents as they prepare for the Test series against Zimbabwe.
