Bangladesh Pacer Withdraws from T20I Series Against Pakistan

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana, along with a couple of key members of the support staff, has pulled out of the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to commence later this month.

This announcement follows shortly after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made public a revised schedule for the series.

Initially planned as a five-match affair, the series has been truncated to three games, which will be held on May 28, May 30, and June 1, with all matches taking place in Lahore.

However, Nahid Rana, trainer Nathan Keily, and fielding coach James Pamment will not be included in the touring contingent.

Chairman of Cricket Operations for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Najmul Abedeen Fahim, verified this development during a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

“From the squad announced previously, Nahid Rana has opted out; he will not be participating. Furthermore, Jimmy and Nathan, our fielding coach and trainer, from the coaching staff, are also not going. The remainder of the team will be traveling,” Fahim stated.

Fahim mentioned that while some players initially felt uncertain about traveling, they ultimately decided to take part.

“Initially, a few players felt uneasy, but after reconsideration, they felt the challenges would not be as significant as anticipated, and thus they are all proceeding now,” he commented.

Regarding Nahid’s withdrawal, Fahim highlighted the psychological impact of recent occurrences during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

“Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain experienced incidents that naturally resulted in trauma. There is no fault to assign, and that could be the reason for his withdrawal,” he clarified.

In a positive turn, Fahim confirmed that Mustafizur Rahman, presently with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, will join the Bangladesh team for the Pakistan series, offering a considerable enhancement to the squad.

Originally, the series was scheduled to begin on May 25 in Faisalabad.

Nevertheless, geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India triggered disruptions, which encompassed the suspension and subsequent resumption of PSL 10, leading to the revised series schedule.

Meanwhile, seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das will captain Bangladesh in the forthcoming series, having been officially appointed as the T20I captain after Najmul Hossain Shanto relinquished the position earlier in the year.

Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan will act as Das’s deputy during the UAE and Pakistan tours.

Bangladesh squad for T20Is series against Pakistan:

Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-capt), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Shoriful Islam

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I series schedule: