The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has dealt a blow to PSL 2026 franchises by recalling two of its key pace bowlers from the tournament.
The BCB announced on Thursday that Mustafizur Rahman has been advised to undergo an immediate medical scan after the board’s medical staff reviewed his condition following the third ODI against New Zealand, and that he will begin a rehabilitation programme under BCB supervision.
As a result of this injury concern, the board has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate previously granted to Mustafizur, ruling him out of the remainder of the PSL 2026 Season.
In a separate decision, fast bowler Nahid Rana will also not be released for PSL 2026, with the BCB citing the need to give him adequate preparation time ahead of next month’s Test series against Pakistan.
The twin recalls signal Bangladesh’s intent to prioritise red-ball cricket as the Pakistan Test series looms large on the calendar.
On the home front, Bangladesh named their squad for the first two T20Is against New Zealand, beginning April 27 in Chattogram, fielding a reshuffled pace attack with Mustafizur, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana all rested. Pace-bowling allrounder Abdul Gaffar Saqlain earned his maiden T20I call-up, while death-bowling specialist Ripon Mondal also made the cut.
The decisions reflect BCB’s cautious approach to workload management as Bangladesh head into a demanding Test stretch.
