Mushfiqur Rahim, on Friday, became the first Bangladesh player to withdraw from their upcoming tour of Pakistan. He has already delivered the official word to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which will be announcing the squad for the series soon.
With Rahim unavailable for selection, Bangladesh will miss out on services of an experienced campaigner. The 32-year-old, after withdrawing from the tour, also revealed that he even rejected an offer to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the complete league will be played in Pakistan for the first time.
He also added that his family is worried and does want him to travel Pakistan. “I have already said I wouldn’t go to Pakistan. I have decided it long ago and informed the board. I have submitted a letter too. My family is worried, and they don’t want me to go,” Rahim said.
“There’s no bigger sin for me than not playing for Bangladesh. But I had denied an offer to play in the PSL after knowing that the tournament will be entirely held in Pakistan. My family didn’t agree with it,” he added.
As for now, Rahim remains to be the only player to withdraw from the tour and few more names might feature in the list once BCB announces the squad.
Pakistan recently hosted Sri Lanka in a full-fledged series in two phases. In the first phase, Sri Lanka played ODI and T20I series in the country. Although 10 regulars players withdrew from the tour. In December, Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka in two-match Test series. This time, the regulars agreed to travel the country. Pakistan doesn’t host international cricket regularly due to terrorist activities in the country.
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Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Bangladesh’s white-ball batting coach Neil McKenzie will not travel to Pakistan as well. Their fielding coach Ryan Cook has also withdrawn from the tour.
Bangladesh play Pakistan in a full-fledged series in two phases. In the first phase, the visitors will play three T20Is and one Test in January-February. Bangladesh team will fly back to the country due to PSL and will return to Pakistan in April for one ODI and the second Test match.