Indian management likely to ban Bangladesh and Sri Lanka players from Indian T20 League – Reports

The upcoming Indian T20 League 2023 will start on March 31. While most of the players have joined the team, some players will either join their respective sides later on or are partially available. Players from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are either partially available or will join their teams late. The Lankan Lions are playing an ODI series against New Zealand.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will play against Ireland. Meanwhile, an Indian Cricket Board official has raised concerns about the franchises. He said that the board negotiates with other boards over players’ availability but the franchises will be skeptical to pick them.

“It is what it is. We can’t complain because it’s the Indian Cricket Board that negotiates with other boards. But of course, franchises will be sceptical about picking players from certain countries. If you see, Taskin (Ahmed) did not get the NOC and now this. If they don’t want their players to play, they should not register. But, for sure, the perception about Bangladeshi players will change in future,” a franchise official told InsideSport.

National duties come first for Bangladesh players: Nazmul Hasan

On the other hand, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official, Nazmul said the Indian Cricket Board was given the schedule of Bangladesh’s cricket calendar.

“You see, I have been asked about this issue over and over again, and I’ve given a single answer. Before they were called in the ITL auction, they ITL officials asked us about the players’ availability and we gave them [the schedule]. And knowing this, they proceeded with the auction. I don’t see any option for them to be unavailable for Bangladesh games. It’s not like we had told them that we might think about it, then there would’ve been some doubt. We have made it clear. I don’t see any chance of a change of heart, to be honest,” Nazmul Hassan told local media.

Another Indian Cricket Board official said that it is completely upto the players to convince their boards for NOCs.

“It is completely up to the players to convince their boards. England, New Zealand, and other prominent boards have figured out a way to maintain the status quo. Nobody can deny the popularity of ITL and by releasing players, boards get their share as well. But if they decide otherwise, it is up to them,” a senior board official told InsideSport.