Bangladesh players set to feature in the 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) received clearance on Monday to participate in the tournament. The development comes just a day after Bangladesh’s state minister for youth and sports, Aminul Haque, had said players would not travel if security concerns persisted.
Six Bangladesh players are participating in PSL 2026
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
According to a report in Cricbuzz, a top Bangladeshi government official confirmed the clearance after consultations involving multiple authorities. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had earlier indicated it would require government approval due to heightened regional tensions.
Shortly after the green light, four players departed for Pakistan, a move that raised eyebrows given the ongoing security concerns.
Clarifying the decision, the official said: “We discussed the situation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which then communicated with our High Commission in Islamabad. After receiving assurances, we granted permission for participation in the PSL.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The website also got access to the official document that the Bangladesh High Commission from Pakistan sent to the Bangladesh government on Monday, assuring the safety of the players.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The website also got access to the official document that the Bangladesh High Commission from Pakistan sent to the Bangladesh government on Monday, assuring the safety of the players.
{{/usCountry}}
"Please be informed that both Pakistan and Afghanistan have declared ceasefire before Eid-ul Azha. It is expected that the ceasefire will sustain for time being. The venues for PSL matches are selected in Lahore and Karachi which are safe enough. Yesterday Pakistan Cricket Control Board announced that there would be no public gathering at the stadium. Concerned authority of Pakistan are committed to ensure safety and security of the cricketers," the letter states.
"Under these circumstances, the Mission recommends that Bangladeshi cricketers can participate at the PSL matches," it added.
Overall, six Bangladesh players - Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Rishad Hossain - are participating in PSL 2026 and all had obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the BCB after being picked for the tournament, which is scheduled to start on March 26.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Home/Cricket/Bangladesh players greenlit for PSL, depart for Pakistan as decision sparks security debate: Report
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
