Afghan cricketers likely to feature in CPL

KABUL (SW): Following landmark inclusion of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Arman in the Indian Premiere League (IPL), stage is set for some more international exposure for the Afghan players in the forthcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

According to the ESPNcricinfo, at least five cricketers from Afghanistan have been listed in the draft list for the auction of international players at the CPL. This include Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Arman, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Stanikzai and former skipper Nawroz Mangal. Surprisingly, the flamboyant opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad is not in this list.

The CPL is scheduled to run from August 1 to September 9 this year in the Caribbean Islands.

Sharafuddin Shakir, deputy spokesman for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), told Salam Watandar these players have been referred to the CPL by their managers, not the ACB. He hailed this as a major development, and noted the players would be given clearance to participate without any delay.

Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all well represented in the 258-player pool, ahead of the draft scheduled for March 10. The list also includes a number of local players looking to be picked up, including two-time World T20 winner Marlon Samuels. Those retained by their franchises, as well as marquee players, will be announced separately.

ENDS