New Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise team Lucknow Super Giants want Bangladeshi speedster Taskin Ahmed as the replacement of Mark Wood for the upcoming season.

Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of the franchise, contacted BCB asking for his availability in the tournament. 

Jalal Yunus, Chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operations committee confirmed the matter to the media on Monday.

However, the BCB is yet to decide about his release as he is now in South Africa to play the ODI and Test series.

“Lucknow’s mentor Gautam Gambhir has contacted Taskin and we are aware of this. But he is playing the South Africa series, which is more important to us,” said Jalal Yunus.

We have not made any decision yet, he added.

It was learned that Taskin must make a decision by March 21 if he wants to sign a contract with the franchise.

That means if he decides to play and the BCB allowed him to go, then he will miss the two-match Tests series against South Africa.

Earlier, English pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of this edition of the IPL following an elbow injury.

ARR