First batch of Bangladesh cricketers leave for Pak T20Is

The first group of Bangladesh cricketers left UAE for Pakistan yesterday for a three-match T20I series against the hosts, set to begin in Lahore from Wednesday.

Team manager Nafees Iqbal informed that the players will arrive in Pakistan in two separate groups with the second group scheduled to depart from UAE today.

"All the members of the squad are expected to reach Lahore by May 26 early morning," Nafees told The Daily Star yesterday.

Nafees also informed that Mustafizur Rahman, who played his final match for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday, will join the team soon after ending his IPL stint.

The team will have training sessions on May 26 and 27 before the series opener on May 28. The remaining two matches are scheduled on May 30 and June 1 respectively.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who are currently in Pakistan and are representing Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to join their national teammates after the PSL final against Quetta Gladiators, scheduled today at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

Earlier, pacer Nahid Rana, fielding coach James Pamment and trainer Nathan Keily withdrew from the Pakistan tour while Soumya Sarkar was ruled out of the series due to a back injury.