Bangladesh Premier League: Liam Dawson to play for Rangpur Riders despite security concern

London: England spinner Liam Dawson is ready to return to Bangladesh this week and play for the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League despite security advice warning him to stay away from the Twenty20 tournament.

The Hampshire left-armer was a late addition to the Riders'Liam Dawson to play in Bangladesh Premier League despite security issues squad following his recent return from his role as a member of England`s successful limited-overs tour of the country.

England only toured Bangladesh after receiving safety assurances following a deadly terror attack on a Dhaka cafe in July.

But England`s Professional Cricketers` Association warned its members against playing in the BPL, which runs from November 4 to December 9, because it could not guarantee similar levels of security cover.

But with the Bangladesh Cricket Board insisting that BPL players will get the same security as England one-day and Test sides, Dawson was enthused by the prospect of playing alongside Pakistan star Shahid Afridi, a former Hampshire team-mate, at Rangpur.

"I`m really looking forward to joining up with Rangpur Riders," said the 26-year-old in a Hampshire statement.

"The competition starts in just a few days and Shahid Afridi is in the team too so it`ll be good to go into the team and know him from his time here at Hampshire.

"It`s going to be a good challenge, there`s some very good overseas players in the competition, so it`ll be hard work from a cricket point of view, but I hope I can put in some good performances and do myself proud."