Shakib, Litton in Diamond category as Tigers flock to APL draft

Bangladesh’s captain Litton Das (R) celebrates with teammate Shakib Al Hasan after the dismissal of Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz (not pictured) during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on July 8, 2023. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and white-ball captain Litton Das are among a large contingent of Bangladeshi cricketers who have registered for the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft, scheduled to take place in Dubai on November 3.

The duo, alongside Tawhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, and pace sensation Nahid Rana, have been placed in the premier Diamond category. Meanwhile, seasoned campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Rishad Hossain feature in the Platinum tier.

The Gold category boasts a dozen more Tigers: Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Saif Hassan, Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Hasan Mahmud, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mohammad Saifuddin.

In total, 462 players will go under the hammer across five tiers, which also include the Silver and Emerging categories. The draft pool features a host of prominent international stars, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Reeza Hendricks, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, Imran Tahir, Akeal Hosein, Kusal Perera, Imam-ul-Haq, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Charith Asalanka, and Sahibzada Farhan.

The revamped five-team APL is expected to get underway on December 27. While official venue details have yet to be confirmed, multiple reports suggest the tournament will be staged entirely in the UAE rather than in Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) previously launched the APL in early 2018, but the five-team competition was scrapped after just a single season. Despite attracting high-profile T20 globe-trotters like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, and Shahid Afridi, the league was abruptly discontinued following severe payment disputes and emerging concerns regarding the tournament's integrity.