Comilla Victorians sign Steve Smith as cover for Shoaib Malik
||CF Correspondent||
Comilla Victorians have roped in Steve Smith for the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), starting from January 5 next year.
Though any official announcement has not been made, Cricfrenzy learnt the Australian has been signed as cover for Shoaib Malik, who will join the Pakistan national team for the limited-overs leg of their South Africa tour.
With the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Evin Lewis, and Shahid Afridi in the mix, Comilla already had a formidable squad, which will only become stronger with the inclusion of Smith.
Malik is expected to play the first four matches for the former BPL champions, before flying to South Africa for a five-match ODI series, scheduled to start on January 19. Smith will then represent the Comilla-based franchise for the rest of the season.
Another banned Aussie batsman David Warner will also feature in the tournament for Sylhet Sixers.
Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft will make a return in the Big Bash League following the expiration of his ban on December 29. The duo of Smith and Warner, however, will continue to serve their one-year ban till March 2019.
Both Smith and Warner have already played in two franchise leagues after getting banned from international cricket and top-level cricket in Australia. Though they missed the IPL following the ban handed by Cricket Australia, both the batsmen featured in the Global T20 Canada and in the Caribbean Premier League while also being retained by their respective Indian Premier League teams for the next season.
