Mushfiq withdraws from Pakistan tour citing 'personal reasons'

Vettori, Cook, Shrinivaas also won't travel

January 18, 2020 00:00:00

Anti-clockwise: Bangladesh's wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, bowling consultant Daniel Vettori and fielding coach Ryan Cook

Bangladesh's wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has formally withdrawn himself from the upcoming tour of Pakistan, report agencies.

"We have received a letter from Mushfiqur today. He is unavailable for the whole tour of Pakistan due to personal reasons," Akram Khan, the BCB cricket operations chairman, told Cricbuzz on Friday.

Rahim, who mentioned his stance verbally earlier, has made his stance clear by putting it in writing. Bangladesh are set to play three T20Is, two Tests and an ODI in Pakistan between January and April.

Meanwhile, Champaka, Bangladesh's fast bowling coach, did not have any reservations travelling to Pakistan, unlike some of the other foreign coaching staff.

Sohel Islam will be on the tour to help the spinners as the regular spin bowling consultant, Daniel Vettori, and fielding coach Ryan Cook aren't keen to travel to Pakistan.

Sri Lanka-trained Mario Villavarayan is unavailable due to his finger injury and will be replaced by local Tushar Kanti Howlader.

Bangladesh's South African physio, Julian Calefato, has agreed to travel to Pakistan.

BCB is expected to name a computer analyst soon as India's Shrinivaas Chandrasekaran will not be available as well.

Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim has declined to visit Pakistan for the forthcoming series, a team official said on Thursday.

"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," chief selector Minhajul Abedin told AFP.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Twenty20 internationals, two Tests and one one-day international in Pakistan between January and April.

Mushfiqur's absence could be a blow for Bangladesh who are already without suspended all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Minhajul said they are likely to announce the squad for the series in a day or two.

International cricket has gradually returned to Pakistan in the last four years after it was suspended in the wake of terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.