Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana Skipping New Zealand Series for PSL 2026
Three Bangladesh cricketers will miss their national team’s series against New Zealand to feature in HBL PSL 2026. Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana have all been released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, confirming their availability for the full tournament. For the franchises who picked them at auction, this is exactly the kind of news they needed before the first ball is bowled. PSL 2026 opens on March 26, with all 44 fixtures and venues listed on the schedule page.
Which Bangladesh Players Are Coming to PSL 2026
All three are bowlers. Bangladesh have sent their pace and swing resources to Pakistan for the league, which says something about how seriously the BCB and the players themselves are treating PSL involvement.
| Player | PSL 2026 Team | Bowling Style |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafizur Rahman | Lahore Qalandars | Left-arm pace, cutters |
| Shoriful Islam | Yet to be confirmed | Left-arm fast-medium |
| Nahid Rana | Yet to be confirmed | Right-arm fast |
Mustafizur is the biggest name of the three. He is one of the most skillful limited-overs bowlers in world cricket and has been a T20 specialist for years. His slower ball and cutter variations in the death overs are genuinely difficult to hit, even for the best batters in the format.
Mustafizur Rahman, What He Brings to Lahore Qalandars
Lahore Qalandars picked Mustafizur as one of their key overseas bowlers, and getting him for the full tournament is a major boost. He has played franchise cricket across IPL, BPL, CPL, and other leagues, so he arrives with experience of high-pressure T20 environments.
Lahore are defending back-to-back PSL titles from 2022 and 2023. Their overseas bowling attack with Mustafizur available from match one gives them a clear advantage in the powerplay and death overs, which are the phases that decide T20 matches.
Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, Rising Fast Bowlers
Nahid Rana burst onto the international scene as one of Bangladesh’s most exciting pace prospects. He bowls with genuine pace and has the kind of raw aggression that T20 franchises look for in young fast bowlers. PSL 2026 will be a significant step in his development as a franchise cricket player.
Shoriful Islam is left-arm fast-medium and brings a different angle of attack to any bowling lineup. Left-armers are valuable in T20 cricket because they create problems that right-arm bowlers cannot. His angle into right-handed batters and away from left-handers makes him a useful weapon.
- Mustafizur Rahman has over 100 T20 international wickets for Bangladesh
- Nahid Rana made his Test debut in 2024 and has impressed with raw pace
- Shoriful Islam has been a consistent performer in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup
- All three will be available for their franchises from the tournament’s opening week
BCB Decision, What It Means
The Bangladesh Cricket Board releasing players for PSL is not a small thing. National boards do not always prioritize franchise leagues over bilateral series. The fact that BCB has agreed to release all three for the full PSL 2026 window reflects a broader shift in how cricket boards are approaching the global franchise calendar.
For players, PSL exposure matters. The league is broadcast internationally, watched by scouts and selectors from multiple countries, and the quality of opposition is genuine. Performing well in PSL builds profiles and careers. All three Bangladesh bowlers will be aware of that.
Check the PSL 2026 squads page for full franchise player listings and overseas allocations across all eight teams.
PSL 2026 Bangladesh Bowlers, Impact on Their Teams
| Player | Key Strength | Impact Area |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafizur Rahman | Death bowling, cutters | Powerplay and final overs |
| Shoriful Islam | Left-arm angle, swing | Middle overs and powerplay |
| Nahid Rana | Raw pace, aggression | Powerplay, intimidation factor |
Three Bangladesh bowlers confirmed for the full tournament adds depth to PSL 2026 across multiple franchises. For fans tracking the PSL 2026 points table as the group stage progresses, bowling attacks with fully available overseas players tend to show up in the results early.
FAQs
Why are Bangladesh players skipping the New Zealand series for PSL 2026? The Bangladesh Cricket Board has granted Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana a No Objection Certificate to miss the New Zealand series and participate in PSL 2026 for the full tournament window.
Which PSL team is Mustafizur Rahman playing for in 2026? Mustafizur Rahman is part of the Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 2026.
Is Nahid Rana playing PSL 2026? Yes, Nahid Rana has been confirmed available for PSL 2026 after being released from Bangladesh’s series against New Zealand.
How many Bangladesh players are in PSL 2026? At least three Bangladesh players, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana, are confirmed available for the full PSL 2026 season.
When does PSL 2026 start? PSL 2026 starts on March 26, 2026, with Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Has Bangladesh ever had players in PSL before? Yes, Mustafizur Rahman in particular has featured in PSL in previous seasons and is one of the most experienced Bangladesh players in franchise T20 cricket globally.
