Bangladesh’s national cricket team is set to tour Pakistan for a T20I series, but pacer Nahid Rana, despite being named in the squad, will not be traveling with the team.
Currently with the team in the UAE for a T20 series, the 22-year-old pacer will return to Bangladesh from there instead of joining the squad on their journey to Pakistan.
Confirming the development today at Mirpur, BCB’s Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin said, “Given the kind of situation they (Nahid and Rishad) faced in Pakistan recently, if it leaves someone a bit traumatized, you can’t really blame them. That’s possibly why he (Nahid) has withdrawn himself.”
While Nahid has opted out, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who was with him during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), will still travel to Pakistan.
Both players had been participating in the PSL last month when rising tensions between India and Pakistan led to tit-for-tat attacks.
Matches were suspended, and drone strikes occurred near the Rawalpindi Stadium, the home venue of Nahid’s team Peshawar Zalmi and Rishad’s team Lahore Qalandars.
Following the suspension of the PSL, both cricketers returned to Bangladesh and subsequently joined the national team for the UAE tour.
After completing the three-match T20I series in the UAE, the Bangladesh squad is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on May 25.
However, in addition to Nahid Rana, two foreign coaching staff members — strength and conditioning coach Nathan Kelly and fielding coach James Pamment — will also not be accompanying the team to Pakistan.
