Mushfiqur Rahim Declines To Tour Pakistan Yet Again

Along with embroiling in various controversies, Bangladesh have also found itself languishing at the bottom of the rankings across formats. In light of this, key players backing out of overseas tours due to security arrangements make matters more grave. Their premier wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has once again declined to visit Pakistan, to play for the national side.

Also Read: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 2020: BCB Announce 15-Man Squad For Two ODIs

Mushfiqur Rahim is contract-bound to tour Pakistan: Nazmul Hasan

Earlier, Nazmul Hasan Papon, the BCB president, stated that Mushfiqur as a contract-bound player has to travel to Pakistan, and that the interests of the country come first before their own. He made it clear that all the players who are centrally contracted must go and that there is no second way.

The 32-year old Rahim didn’t travel to Pakistan, for the first two legs as he was concerned about his  safety while citing his family had refused him to tour Pakistan.

The tourists lost the first two legs comprehensively. They first lost the T20 series by 2-0 and suffered a defeat in the first of the two Tests by an innings and 44 runs. They are slated to play a One-off ODI on the 3rd of April and the second Test commences on the 5th of April.

Mushfiqur Rahim refuses to budge from his stance:

Mushfiqur Rahim conceded that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) also offered him a contract which he denied by informing the board that he is not travelling to Pakistan. He further remarked that despite being aware of the present situation, he wouldn’t agree to go there or in the future and wished good luck to the ones who are touring Pakistan.

“I have clearly stated my stand regarding going or not going to Pakistan and they [BCB] have accepted it. There was an offer from PSL and I was asked whether I give my name or not but I did not give for the tournament,” Rahim said as quoted by a Bangladeshi channel.

They [board] should have respected me because I did not put my name despite knowing the current situation. So it is pretty clear [that I will not go] and it will not change in the future and I have all the good wishes for them who travels there,” Rahim added. 

In between the matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh played a Test against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.

Mushfiqur hit a double-hundred against them as the hosts crushed them by an innings and 106 runs.

Also Read: Bangladesh Declines PCB’s Offer To Play Day-Night Test In Karachi