The Bangladesh Cricket Board has withheld a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fast bowler Shoriful Islam to play County Championship cricket with Kent this season. The board’s decision blocks the left-arm bowler from a proposed four-match stint with the English county, citing concerns over his physical workload and the demands of upcoming international fixtures.
Shoriful had recently impressed against Australia, taking seven wickets in the second Test at Mackay after missing the first Test in Darwin due to injury.
Why the BCB blocked Shoriful’s Kent move
The team management and medical department prioritised Shoriful’s recovery and preparation for the international schedule ahead. Shahriar Nafees, BCB cricket operations in-charge, elaborated on the specific concerns surrounding the fast bowler’s fitness and the risks of county cricket at this stage of his recovery.
“Shoriful was not given NOC considering his workload and upcoming international assignments, because in the next three months we have five Tests, seven T20s, and six ODIs,” Nafees was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“That’s why the team management and medical department feel it’s more important for him to train rather than play, and be fit and ready for the international matches,” Nafees added.
The injury factor in the NOC decision
Shoriful’s recent hamstring injury and his multi-format role for Bangladesh made the decision particularly significant. The BCB was cautious about exposing him to the physical demands of four consecutive county matches while he was still building match fitness.
“Shoriful is the kind of player who plays all formats. Plus he’s just coming back from a hamstring injury. So if we give him an NOC for 4 county matches, the amount of pressure that will put on his body, we’re concerned he might not be fully fit for all those (international) matches,” he continued.
Khaled Ahmed approved instead
In contrast, fellow fast bowler Khaled Ahmed received approval to play for Kent. Nafees confirmed that Khaled’s fitness status and recent match history differed significantly from Shoriful’s situation, making him a suitable candidate for the county stint.
“Khaled was given an NOC for Kent as he is fully fit and hasn’t played too many matches in the recent past,” Nafees concluded.
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