Mushy stands firm despite BCB coaxing

Mushfiqur Rahim stuck to his original decision of not touring Pakistan for the third and final phase of Bangladesh's tour in April despite the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) once again asking the cricketer to reconsider.

Bangladesh will play a solitary ODI and the second Test against the home side during the third phase of the tour.

It was learned that BCB President Nazmul Hassan had met the cricketers ahead of the first ODI against Zimbabwe in Sylhet Sunday, and asked the team management to try and convince Mushfiqur.

Members of the team management talked to the experienced batsman after the match to impress upon him that his presence would strengthen the batting after the Tigers fared poorly in the first Test in February. Mushfiqur, however, stood firm on his decision.

There was also talk that the team management wanted to rest Mushfiqur for the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe to have a look at a few young players and solidify the lineup that would play the first ODI.

The 32-year-old will however play the second ODI against Zimbabwe today.

"He [Mushfiqur Rahim] is supposed to play tomorrow [Tuesday]," chief selector Minhajul Abedin told The Daily Star yesterday.

Hassan had initially let the cricketers decide whether or not they would visit Pakistan and Mushfiqur was the only player who opted out of the first two legs of the tour, citing security concerns.

However, Hassan last month said that all centrally-contracted cricketers, including Mushfiqur, should be part of the last leg of the Pakistan tour.