Ariful Islam has not yet turned 18, but this teenager is getting a chance to play in foreign leagues before that. Bangladesh’s Ariful, who scored two centuries in the Youth World Cup, is going to play in the Pakistan Junior Twenty20 League (PJL).
Gujranwala Giants picked up middle-order batsman Ariful from the ‘Premier’ category in the PJL draft on Thursday (September 8). The name of this cricketer who won the Youth World Cup a few days ago was also in Australia’s Big Bash draft. Despite not getting a team there, this young batsman has found an address in the Pakistan Junior League.Ariful will play for Gujranwala Giants in the Pakistan League. The coaching panel of this team includes a number of star Pakistani cricketers. For example, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik is the mentor of the team. Ijaz Ahmed will be the head coach, Aijaz Chimer will be seen as the bowling coach.
There were 175 foreign players in the Pakistan Junior League Players Draft list. From there only 24 people are getting chance to play. Apart from Ariful, among the Bangladeshi cricketers in the draft were Abdullah Al Mamun, Jisan Alam, Naimur Rahman Nayan, and the marginal Nowroz Nabil. Although the rest did not get the team.
For the first time this season of Junior T20 format with 6 teams is starting in Pakistan. The six teams in the competition are Bahawalpur Royals, Gujranwala Giants, Gwadar Sharks, Hyderabad Hunters, Mardan Warriors, Rawalpindi Riders.
SH/HMA
