Missing a series is like a sin: Mushfiqur
Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim clarified the reason for not travelling to Pakistan for the Tigers’ upcoming tour after the cricketer formally sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressing his unwillingness to tour.
Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to Pakistan thrice between January and April to take part in a three-match T20I series, two Tests and a one-off ODI.
“If you tell me to take a rest from any Bangladesh series, it is like a sin for me. But at the same time, I also have the option to play the PSL [Pakistan Super League], but knowing that this time the whole PSL will be played in Pakistan, I also said no there. As my family did not give me permission to go there, I can’t go against that. To me, cricket does not come before life.
“I would also like to add that [the situation in] Pakistan may have improved but if other teams also travel frequently by the next year or two, I will feel confident [about going]. I have previously toured Pakistan in 2008 and I honestly think Pakistan is a very good place to play cricket,” Mushfiqur said after the BBPL final in Mirpur yesterday.
Ramanayake named bowling coach
Earlier, it was confirmed that High Performance bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake will perform the pace bowling coach’s role, vacated by South African Charl Langeveldt, in the upcoming three-match T20I series in Pakistan.
Bangladesh batting consultant Neil McKenzie, spin bowling consultant Daniel Vettori and fielding coach Ryan Cook have refused to travel to Pakistan. Sri Lankan trainer Mario Villavarayan will also be unavailable due to a finger injury and will be replaced by local Tushar Kanti Howlader. The BCB is expected to name a computer analyst soon as Indian Shrinivaas Chandrasekaran will not be available for the tour.
South African physio Julian Calefato, meanwhile, agreed to travel to Pakistan.
Comments