Kent eye Shoriful Islam for County stint after Hasan Mahmud’s impact

Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam could join Kent for a four-match stint in the English County Championship, with the club awaiting a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

A source close to the 25-year-old confirmed that Kent have approached Shoriful with a proposal to play four County Championship matches this season. The move, however, cannot be finalised without BCB approval.

Shoriful is currently preparing to return to competitive cricket after recovering from a hamstring injury. He has made significant progress through rehabilitation and has already undergone a fitness test. He will be cleared to resume training and matches once the BCB medical team gives him the green light.

The injury kept Shoriful out of Bangladesh's initial Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Selectors, however, indicated that he could be considered for the second Test if he regains full fitness.

If cleared by the BCB, Shoriful could join Kent after Bangladesh's Australia tour and become only the third Bangladeshi to feature in the County Championship, following Shakib Al Hasan and Hasan Mahmud.

Hasan is already representing Kent and is set to play four more matches for the club next month. The right-arm pacer impressed during his first two appearances this season, claiming 12 wickets in four innings, including a six-wicket haul for just 69 runs in one innings.

With Hasan already making an impact in Kent colours, the club now appears keen to add another Bangladesh pace option to its attack—provided Shoriful receives the required clearance and passes his final fitness assessment.