LONDON: More England cricketers are likely to follow Alex Hales’ footsteps of prioritizing franchise league cricket over their side’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh due to lucrative contracts, English newspaper The Telegraph reported.

According to the report, three more English players – Lahore Qalandars’ Sam Billings and Liam Dawson and Karachi Kings’ James Vince – are likely to offer their full participation in the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead of preferring national duty.

England will tour Bangladesh for three T20Is and as many ODIs from March 1-14, while the PSL will take place from February 13 to March 19.

“Alex Hales will not be included in the squad for Bangladesh as he is set to remain at the Pakistan Super League where he has a lucrative deal. It is understood Sam Billings, Liam Dawson and James Vince will do the same,” the report stated.

“England are happy for their non-contracted players to pursue franchise opportunities with the likes of Billings, Dawson and Vince having spent plenty of time around the England setup since 2015, without being regulars in the XI.

“Players opting not to play for England has raised further questions over England’s contracting structures and, with franchises increasingly powerful, whether greater weight should be given to tour and match fees (currently around £5,000 and £2,500 for ODIs and T20Is respectively) rather than retainers.”

The report added that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selection committee will name the squad for the tour of Bangladesh, this week.

It is pertinent to mention that the much-anticipated PSL 8 will commence with a glittering opening ceremony in Multan. The home side Multan Sultans will take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the curtain raiser.

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