DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)— New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham has decided to continue playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Rajshahi Warriors, opting to skip his national team’s T20 International series against India.

New Zealand are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series in India as part of their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Neesham has taken leave from the national squad following a request from Rajshahi Warriors head coach Hannan Sarkar.

The first T20I between New Zealand and India will be played on January 21, while the BPL final is set for January 23. If Rajshahi qualify for the final, Neesham will miss the first two matches of the India series.

Neesham has already spoken to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) that allows him to remain in the BPL until January 23.

Hannan Sarkar expressed his appreciation for the Kiwi all rounder’s commitment to the team.

“Let me start by saying that even though he is a national team player, Neesham will stay with Rajshahi Warriors until the end of the BPL,” Hannan said. 

“When I requested him to see if he could somehow stay, he himself showed interest. But interest alone wasn’t enough, as he had national duties as well. We all knew how important a player like Neesham is for our team, so we tried everything possible.”

Hannan added that Neesham took care of all the formalities himself to remain with the franchise.
 
“Neesham handled the entire process on his own, from contacting his country’s cricket board to arranging the NOC. He told me that if Rajshahi reach the final, he will return to the national team immediately after playing that match.”