Bangladesh's batting & fielding coach follow Rahim's suit, opt-out of Pakistan tour

In what may be a major setback for Tigers, Bangladesh's batting coach and fielding coach have decided to opt-out of side's tour to Pakistan, following steps of wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and many ors. Bangladesh has repeatedly expressed security concerns over team touring Pakistan and has been hesitant to play in Pakistan despite PCB trying all means to convince BCB. However, an adamant PCB refused to settle for a neutral venue, forcing most of Bangladesh side to opt-out of tour, citing security concerns and a potential threat to ir lives. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Twenty20 internationals, two Tests and one one-day international in Pakistan between January and April. 

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Neil McKenzie, Ryan Cook opt-out of Pakistan tour

Bangladesh Cricket Board chairman Akram Khan revealed that side would be going to Pakistan without five members of ir coaching staff, adding that batting coach Neil McKenzie and fielding coach Ryan Cook will too skip series. Spin consultant Daniel Vettori has t been called for this tour, while team analyst Shrinivaas Chandrasekaran will miss out owing to his nationality. BCB has t revealed name of ir new bowling coach eir. 

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Mushfiqur Rahim: 'Cricket t bigger than life' 

"I have already said I wouldn’t go to Pakistan. I had made up my mind about it long ago and had informed board. I have submitted a letter too," said Rahim.

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Speaking about how his family is t permitting him to go to Pakistan, he added, “My family is worried, and y don’t want me to go. re’s bigger sin for me than t playing for Bangladesh. But at same time, Cricket is t bigger than life."

"I would like to say that situation in Pakistan is better than before," he added.

Apart from Rahim, five members of support staff have denied to tour Pakistan with team due to security concerns. However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BC) has called up veteran batsman Tamim Iqbal for T20 series beginning on January 24 and have also called for services of uncapped fast bowler Hasan Mahmud. Mosaddek Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Taijul Islam and Abu Hider have been dropped from squad. Bangladesh will play ir T20s in Lahore from January 24-27 before returning home. y will go back to Pakistan for first Test starting February 7 and visit again for a one day international in Karachi on April 3 and second Test from April 5.

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