![Kusal Mendis ruled out of BPL 2026 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1766661279809_KusalMendisBPLruledout.jpg?type=hq)
Kusal Mendis ruled out of BPL 2026 [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]
A day before the first ball of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 is bowled, Noakhali Express have been hit where it hurts the most. The debutants of BPL will have to start life in the tournament without one of their biggest overseas stars as Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the entire season due to health concerns.
Health concerns force Kusal Mendis to miss entire BPL 2026 season
For a brand-new franchise gearing up for its first-ever BPL campaign, this is about as untimely as it gets. Noakhali Express were banking heavily on Kusal Mendis to be the backbone of their batting unit.
The Sri Lankan was signed through a direct contract outside the auction and was expected to bring experience, stability and firepower at the top. Instead, the franchise has been forced into a last-minute rethink.
Losing a proven international batter moments before the tournament opener is never ideal, especially when you are still finding your feet in a new league. The news was confirmed on Tuesday, leaving little time for damage control.
It is worth mentioning that Mendis isn’t just another overseas name on the team sheet. He is a battle-hardened limited-overs batter who knows how to pace an innings and shift gears when needed. In a pressure-heavy T20 league like the BPL, that kind of pedigree is gold dust.
Not all doom and gloom for Noakhali
Despite the setback, Noakhali aren’t exactly scraping the barrel. The franchise had already stacked up on options in the batting department.
Caribbean opener Johnson Charles brings brute power while Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal offers a fearless approach at the top. On the local front, experienced names like Soumya Sarkar, Habibur Rahman Sohan and Shahadat Hossain Dipu add depth and familiarity with conditions.
It is not the same as having Mendis, but there is enough ammunition to avoid panic stations. The timing, however, could not have been worse as Noakhali Express are set to open their BPL 2026 campaign against Chattogram Challengers on Friday, December 26.
But even without Mendis, the Noakhali Express still have a formidable squad. Alongside Charles and Atal, the presence of names like Mohammad Nabi, Zahir Khan, Ihsanullah and Hasan Mahmud ensures balance across departments.
Every new team faces a defining moment early in its journey. For Noakhali Express, this injury blow might just be that moment. How they respond could set the tone for their entire BPL season.
