BCB reject Saudi request for players and coaches

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam said that they have rejected Saudi Arabia's request of providing players and coaches, who would eventually play for them after completing all the legal formalities.

Driven by the nation's "Vision 2030" strategy, Saudi Arabia cricket is heading towards a major international expansion with significant financial investment. Now they are focusing on making rapid strides domestically and on the international circuit as well.

With an eye on emerging as an international cricket force, Saudi Arabia is looking to bring players from different Test playing nations to play for them in the long run after completing all the legal procedure, a tactic employed by UAE and USA previously.

Cricbuzz learnt that in the recent past Saudi Arabia requested the BCB to provide them cricketers. However, BCB rejected the offer. "You can say that they (Saudi Arabia) approached me two months ago, and I said no," BCB president Aminul Islam confirmed to Cricbuzz on Saturday.

"They asked us for players - both male and female players, and then they asked for coaches, but how can I provide them at the expense of my own country's interests?," he added.

Saudi Arabia is expanding its presence in global sports with major investments in LIV Golf, Formula 1, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup and now with strategic support from the ICC and ACC, they are now positioning themselves as cricket's next frontier in the Gulf.