Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam has welcomed Nahid Rana’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) breakthrough, saying he is delighted that his teammate secured a contract with Peshawar Zalmi ahead of the upcoming season.
Nahid Rana was picked by Peshawar Zalmi at the end of the PSL auction for 60 lakh Pakistani rupees. He joins fellow Bangladesh cricketers Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon and Rishad Hossain in this year’s PSL. Mustafizur Rahman signed directly with Lahore Qalandars.
Speaking at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, Shoriful Islam said he was pleased to see Nahid Rana earn an opportunity in one of the region’s leading franchise tournaments.
“I am delighted that he got a team in the PSL,” Shoriful Islam told reporters. “I felt very happy for him. I was in my village when the PSL auction was held. Nahid is my teammate, so I am really happy for him.”
Shoriful Islam did not secure a contract in the PSL auction but said he remains focused on domestic cricket commitments.
Both Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana are set to feature in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), where North Zone will face South Zone in the second-round one-day match at the Rajshahi venue. Both sides won their opening fixtures, meaning the winner will move to the top of the table.
“Nahid and I practised together at the same academy, so it feels good that we are playing together again. Hopefully, we’ll put up a good performance in tomorrow’s game,” Shoriful Islam said.
He also reflected on returning to Rajshahi, where he developed as a professional cricketer. Shoriful Islam said he felt emotional entering the stadium for the first time since 2019.
“When I entered through the gate today, I was overwhelmed with emotion because I probably last played a match here in 2019,” he said. “I practised here for five years. When I stepped onto this field again, I felt emotional knowing that I would be playing a match here after such a long time.”
Nahid Rana’s PSL selection marks another step in the growing presence of Bangladeshi players in international franchise cricket, reinforcing the country’s expanding footprint in global T20 competitions.
