PSL 2018: Sabbir Rahman joins Peshawar Zalmi as Shakib's replacement

Sabbir Rahman has joined Peshawar Zalmi for the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) which is all set to commence on Thursday. He will replace his teammate and skipper of Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan who is nursing a finger injury and has already missed Tests and T20Is against Sri Lanka. However, the ace all-rounder has been ruled out of the T20 tournament in Pakistan this year as his team is scheduled to play against Sri Lanka and India in the upcoming Nidahas Trophy.

Sabbir went unsold in the PSL auction but now will play for the defending champions Peshwar Zalmi under the captaincy Darren Sammy. He left Dhaka to play the tournament on Tuesday along with Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman who are set to feature for Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalanadars respectively. The players would be itching to prove their worth in the T20 extravaganza.

Availability of Bangladesh players

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the players until 4th March after which they will join the squad directly in Sri Lanka. The Tigers will leave for Nidahas Trophy on the same day which will commence on March 6 with the game between India and Sri Lanka. Tamim Iqbal is struggling with Visa issues and will reach the UAE once his problems are resolved.

Peshawar Zalmi will play the opening game of the tournament against Multan Sultans on February 22 at Dubai International Stadium. The game will begin after the star-studded opening ceremony. They will miss their key player Shakib Al Hasan this time around who would’ve added his value with both bat and ball. It remains to be seen if his replacement Sabbir Rahman gets the game during his stint with the side. The talented batsman will look find his groove ahead of the important series against Sri Lanka and India in March.

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