Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz will get another chance to play in the Caribbean Premier League after Guyana Amazon Warriors signed him as Mohammad Nabi’s replacement.
The CPL table-toppers brought in Mehidy after Nabi left the tournament to join Afghanistan for their three-match T20I series against India, starting on September 13.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris will also join the squad. He replaces Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who will link up with Afghanistan for the same series.
Nabi leaves Guyana after playing a key role in their excellent campaign. He has taken 12 wickets in six innings, the most among spinners in the competition, while maintaining an economy rate below six.
The Afghanistan all-rounder also played an important role in Guyana’s run across the CPL and Global Super League. The franchise have won 10 of their 11 matches across the two competitions.
Guyana captain Imran Tahir praised Nabi after his side’s victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
“He’s been an absolute legend,” Tahir said. “He’s one of the best offspinners in world cricket at the moment and that’s the reason we got him. He can bat and is a really good slip fielder.”
Tahir added that Nabi’s bowling had remained consistently effective throughout their campaign.
“We’re really going to miss him,” he said.
Mehidy has previously had a taste of the CPL. Trinbago Knight Riders signed him as a replacement player in 2017, but he never played a match in the competition.
He will now have the opportunity to make his CPL debut. Mehidy will remain available for Guyana for the rest of the season because he did not make Bangladesh’s T20I squad for the Asian Games in Japan.
Haris already knows the franchise after representing Guyana in the Global Super League earlier this year.
Guyana also have other options to cover Gurbaz. Glenn Phillips could return to the XI, with Shai Hope taking the gloves, while local batter Matthew Nandu provides another opening option.
Guyana have already secured their place in the playoffs. However, Tahir wants his side to maintain its standards rather than ease off after qualifying.
“We’re nicely sitting on top [of the table], but we’re not taking things for granted,” he said.
