Bangladesh, Pakistan, T20 Squad
Bangladesh national cricket team (Image Credit: ICC)

Bangladesh have suffered a big blow as their former captain Mushfiqur Rahim has refused to travel Pakistan for the upcoming series. Earlier, the BCB was also reluctant to play a series in Pakistan but since the board had sent its women’s team there, the officials were under pressure to send the men’s team as well. Although the board had announced that it will not force any player to travel Pakistan.

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“Mushfiq(ur) rang me today to inform that he will not go to Pakistan. We are now waiting for his formal letter. Once he does that, we will leave him out of the series,” Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector was quoted as saying by AFP.

Bangladehs, Christchurch Attack
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

BCB announces the squad for the tour this week and more players are expected to back out. This will further weaken the Bangladesh team, which is already without the services of regular captain Shakib al Hasan.

As per the schedule, Bangladesh will tour Pakistan twice. The two teams will play three T20Is and one Test match from January 24 to February 11. Bangladesh will return home – due to PSL – and will again land in Pakistan in April to play one ODI and the second Test match of the series.

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Sri Lanka recently travelled to Pakistan for a complete series. The two teams played three ODIs and three T20Is in the first leg of the series played in September-October. At that time, 10 regulars players decided against touring the country.

Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan
(Photo: AFP)

Sri Lanka, this time a full-strength squad, returned to the country to play two Test matches in December. PCB is also hosting full PSL season in Pakistan. As of now, Rahim remains the only player to back out.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have announced their squad for the series. The selectors have made a total of seven changes. BBL sensation Haris Rauf was handed his maiden T20 call-up while the selectors also recalled Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Mohammed Amir was among the seven players to be dropped.