PCB gives permission to Misbah to play in Bangladesh

Karachi:

Pakistan senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq has finally been given permission to take a two week break from the premier first class domestic competition to play in Bangladesh.

Misbah confirmed on Wednesday that he had got permission from the board. The PCB was initially reluctant to release him due to the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match.

Misbah said he had got a good offer to play some five to six one-day matches for the Abhani Sports club in the premier league tournament of Bangladesh.

"I will leave around November 8 for Dhaka and it should be a 10 to 12 days stint with Abhani and it would be a good experience for me," Misbah who was not considered for the one-day and Test series against New Zealand said.

It is unusual for the board to allow any top player to accept a foreign contract in the middle of the premier domestic competition.

"We have made an exception as Misbah has already appeared in four rounds of Quaid Trophy and when he returns he will be able to play in two more matches," an official said.

Misbah said he was keen to play in Bangladesh as he was hungry for cricket after being dropped from the national team.

"My eventual aim still remains to get back into the national team and the only way I can do this is to score runs consistently wherever I play," he added.

The board has also allowed all-rounder Yasir Arafat to accept a contract with New Zealand's Otago.