BPL 2019: Chris Gayle's Absence Against Khulna Titans Due To NOC Delay

Windies star opener Chris Gayle, who is plying his trade for Rangpur Riders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) couldn’t take part in their game against Khulna Titans as he is yet to obtain no-objection certificate, a BPL official said.

Meanwhile, Gayle, who reached on December 5 (Saturday) morning, did not take part in the tournament opener against Chittagong Vikings. The management revealed that Chris Gayle missed out on the first game as he yet to recover from the jet lag. Moreover, his omission from the starting line-up against Khulna Titans on Sunday raised quite a few eyebrows. However, now the reason for his exclusion came out in public as he is yet to submit the NOC.

“We did not receive his NOC before the match and so we could not allow him to take part against Khulna Titans,” BPL technical committee chairman Jalal Yunus told Cricbuzz on Sunday. “Maybe they could not submit it on time as it was quite late in Windies. We just received a mail and that suggests we would get it very soon. The franchise have taken everything in the right spirit,” he added.

Defending champions Riders have retained Chris Gayle as he was instrumental in their success in the last edition. They missed his service in the opening match as Vikings edged past their paltry total of 98 runs with three wickets in hand.

Later, on the same day after Rangpur’s second fixture of the season, BPL confirmed that the NOC was received. Rangpur Riders will play their next game against Comilla Victorians on January 8 (Tuesday).