Shoriful Islam denied NOC to play County cricket

Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said on Tuesday that they had denied fast bowler Shoriful Islam a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a stint with Kent in the County Championship.

Cricbuzz understands Shoriful was set to follow Hasan Mahmud in the Kent dressing room to take part in the county but the board decided not to release him as they felt it would have put him at risk as far as his international commitment is concerned.

"Shoriful was not given NOC considering his workload and upcoming international assignments, because in the next three months we have five Tests, seven T20s, and six ODIs," Shahriar Nafees, BCB cricket operation in-charge, confirmed to Cricbuzz.

"Shoriful is the kind of player who plays all formats. Plus he's just coming back from a hamstring injury. So if we give him an NOC for 4 county matches, the amount of pressure that will put on his body, we're concerned he might not be fully fit for all those (international) matches," he said.

"That's why the team management and medical department feel it's more important for him to train rather than play, and be fit and ready for the international matches," he said.

Nafees added that they have provided NOC to another pacer, Khaled Ahmed, to take part in the county after being approached by Kent.

"Khaled was given an NOC for Kent as he is fully fit and hasn't played too many matches in the recent past," he said.