The complexion of the ongoing Dhaka Premier League could change overnight, as the recruitment of an Indian cricketer may open the door for all participating sides to drastically alter the strength of their squads. Mohammedan Sporting Club recently registered Hyderabad’s Mohammed Ahmed Shakeer as their fourth foreign cricketer to participate in the league, which could open the floodgates for Indian players to enter the competition.
Pakistan had earlier refused to provide their players with No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for this edition of the DPL, while it was generally accepted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India did not allow players to participate in any foreign competitions other than English county cricket.
However, with Shakeer having received an NOC from both the Hyderabad Cricket Association and the BCCI, the signs are there that more Indian cricketers will be able to follow in his footsteps and play in a tournament that had long been an avenue for Pakistani players to play overseas.
DPL coordinator Sabbir Ahmed confirmed that he had received NOCs for Shakeer from the BCCI and the Hyderabad CA.
‘In the BCCI letter it was stated the Shakeer is a player of Hyderabad CA, and if they don’t have any problem with his participation in the DPL [then] there is no problem with them. Similarly, in the HCA letter it was written that if the BCCI has no objection with his participation, [they] don’t have any objection,’ said Sabbir.
The Indian players who are not participating in India’s Ranji Trophy competition are likely to be available for the league, which has already become a hub for Sri Lankan cricketers.
-With New Age input
