Mushfiqur Rahim Explains Why He Refused To Tour Pakistan

Published - 19 Jan 2020, 12:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:03 AM

Mushfiqur Rahim. Photo Credit: Twitter.

Ahead of the series against Pakistan in Pakistan, Bangladesh struck with a major setback as Mushfiqur Rahim opted to not tour Pakistan for any format of the game. Bangladesh Cricket Board accepted the request of Pakistan Cricket Board to play all three forms of the game in Pakistan. But, players denying to travel Pakistan has become a cause of concern.

Opting out himself for the tour, Mushfiqur Rahim stated that his family are worried about him travelling to Pakistan. They want him to stay away from the series, as his family members feel Pakistan is still unsafe to travel. For the same reason, he also rejected the offer to play the Pakistan Super League.

My family is worried, and they don’t want me to go – Mushfiqur Rahim

The batsman said that he had also turned down the offer to play in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) because the entire series was being held in Pakistan. He has played for the Karachi Kings in the past seasons of the series. He has already delivered the official word to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

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Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), — Mushfiqur Rahim (Credits: Twitter)

“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. 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.”

“My family is not permitting me to go to Pakistan. Cricket is not bigger than life. But at the same time, I would like to say that the situation in Pakistan is better than before. I toured Pakistan in 2008 before that incident (terror attack on Sri Lankan team in 2009). Pakistan is a wonderful place to play cricket. The wickets of Pakistan are batting-friendly and I will miss playing there. But if the situation gets better and remains better consistently, I would definitely love to go to Pakistan to play cricket,” Mushfiqur said.

With Rahim unavailable for selection, Bangladesh will miss out on services of an experienced campaigner. The Bangladesh T20I squad, for the three-match series starting on January 24, is likely to be announced on Saturday. They will travel for three T20Is between January 24 and 27, then for the first Test from February 7 to 11, and finally for one ODI and one more Test between April 3 and 9.