After much uncertainty, the schedule for the Bangladesh-Pakistan series was finally announced on Wednesday. Young pace sensation Nahid Rana was included in the squad for the series. Currently, the neighboring countries have stepped back from conflict and are promoting a message of peace. However, despite the ceasefire, fear and tension still linger.
As a result, although the Bangladesh team is scheduled to travel to Pakistan this month for a three-match T20I series, Nahid Rana has withdrawn from the tour due to previous experiences. He has suddenly pulled out of the series. Alongside him, Bangladesh’s fielding coach James Pamment and trainer Nathan Kelly have also opted out of the Pakistan tour.
The matter was confirmed on Wednesday (May 21) by Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Chairman of BCB’s Cricket Operations, while speaking to the media at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. He stated that Rana has withdrawn from the series for personal reasons.
Regarding Rana’s withdrawal, Fahim said:
“Nahid Rana has removed himself from the announced squad for the Pakistan tour. He is not going. Among the coaching staff, the fielding coach and trainer are also not going. Everyone else is ready and willing to travel. A few had some discomfort initially, but eventually, they decided to go.”
Earlier, during the outbreak of the India-Pakistan conflict, Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain were in Pakistan playing in the PSL. They witnessed the tense and alarming situation up close. After the tournament was halted for about a week, neither of them returned to the franchise league, as they were called up to play in a series against the UAE during the same period.
For the upcoming series against Pakistan, Bangladesh, under the leadership of Litton Das, will play a reduced three-match T20I series instead of the originally planned five matches. All the matches will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The series will begin on May 28, with the remaining matches taking place on May 30 and June 1. Bangladesh will arrive in Pakistan on May 25. All matches will start at 8:00 PM local time (9:00 PM Bangladesh time).
