Late Clearance Allows Rishad, Nahid to Join Bangladesh Squad

In a last-minute relief for Bangladesh, bowlers Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana have received immigration clearance and are available for the first T20I against UAE. The match will be played tonight at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, marking the beginning of a two-match series.

Visa Issues Delayed Their Entry

Rishad and Nahid had flown to the UAE on May 14 after returning early from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to border tensions in the region. However, upon landing, both players faced visa complications. This forced them to stay at an airport hotel in the UAE for a night.

The situation created uncertainty over their participation in the series. Fans and the team management grew concerned as the matchday approached. But finally, on Saturday morning, both players were cleared by immigration and allowed to join the squad.

Board Confirms Clearance Before Match

Shahriar Nafees, in charge of cricket operations for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), confirmed the update. Speaking to The Daily Star, he said:

“They joined the side yesterday. In the UAE, the immigration department doesn’t reveal what the real problem is. They were at the airport hotel for one night. Both of them are available for today’s match.”

This news brings a huge boost for the team ahead of the crucial series opener.

Series Vital for T20 World Cup Prep

Led by Litton Das, Bangladesh is using this short series to prepare for the T20 World Cup next year. The squad features key players like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Both T20Is will be held at Sharjah, with the second and final match scheduled for Monday, May 19.

With Rishad and Nahid now available, Bangladesh will look to start strong and test their full-strength squad ahead of bigger challenges.

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