Banned Australia batsman Steve Smith has been given the all clear to participate in the upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) despite initially running afoul of the league’s by-laws.
Smith was picked up as a late replacement for Sri Lanka’s Asela Gunaratne by Comilla Victorians but his signing had been opposed by the rest of the franchises in the league.
According to BPL rules, only players who were part of the initial draft can be picked as replacements by the franchises. With Smith not featuring in the initial draft pool, his capture had been protested by the remaining franchises for violating the by-laws.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had subsequently banned the Aussie star from playing in the upcoming edition. However, the board has now done a U-turn on the Australian at the behest of four other franchises in the league.
“We could not give him permission earlier as other franchises had protested his signing,” BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus stated.
Smith will be joined by Warner in the BPL 2019.
“Today, four franchises emailed us separately saying that they have withdrawn their objections for the greater interest of the tournament,” he added.
The BCP spokesman also said that the league’s ruled had been amended to pave the way for Smith’s participation. The remaining franchises will now be allowed to sign one replacement player each from outside the initial draft pool.
With Smith now eligible to participate, the Australian is expected to join up with the Victorians squad ahead of January 5 when the BPL gets underway.
Smith will be joined by his fellow banned Australian batsman David Warner in the BPL with the left-hander set to captain Sylhet Sixers in the upcoming edition.
Both the batsmen continue to serve their one-year bans from international and domestic cricket meted out to them for their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal.