Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Shah Shah Afridi will represent Fortune Barishal in the upcoming 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Bangladeshi media reported on Wednesday.
According to a report, the 24-year-old pacer was roped in by defending champions Barishal as a direct signing.
However, Shaheen, who will be making his maiden appearance in the league, would only be available for Barishal’s first five matches as the left-arm pacer was a granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) till January 15, 2025 by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The seven-team tournament will run until February 7.
Barishal boasts a star-studded line-up, featuring renowned foreign players for the upcoming season, including the likes of like Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Ali Mohammad and Jahandad Khan, who were all brought in as direct signings. They also picked James Fuller, Pathum Nissanka and Nandre Burger from the players' draft.
In addition to foreign players, the team also features a number of local stars, including Tamim Iqbal, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Tanvir Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Ripon Mondol, Ebadot Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Rishad Hossain and Taijul Islam.
Fortune Barishal will face debutants Durbar Rajshahi in the opening match of the BPL 2025, which is scheduled to take place in Mirpur on December 30, followed by the second fixture between Rangpur Riders and another new entrant Dhaka Capitals at the same venue.
- Shaheen Afridi
