DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan Papon on Tuesday said that Mushfiqur Rahim should play the rest of matches in Pakistan for the greater interest of the country.

The Team Bangladesh will go to Pakistan for the one-off ODI and second Test in Karachi - the last leg of a three-part tour - in April. 

Mushfiqur, however, opted against touring Pakistan for the first two phases of the tour that included a three-match T20 series in Lahore and a Test in Rawalpindi, citing security reasons.

Bangladesh was whitewashed in the T20 series and lost the Rawalpindi Test by an innings and 44-run margin.

Nazmul Hassan said: “I expect him (Mushfiqur) to go to Pakistan. Not only Mushfiq, I also want all the contracted players to be willing to go to Pakistan. One shouldn’t only think about his self-interest, he has to think about the nation’s interest as well.”

The BCB head was speaking to the reporters after the one-off Test against Zimbabwe which Bangladesh won by an innings and 144-run margin.

Mushfiqur hit his third double century (unbeaten 203) in the Test to defeat the visitors easily. 

“He (Mushfiqur) can hear about it from his colleagues who toured in Pakistan. He can talk to Mahmudullah who is his relative. I think if he talks to them, he can change his decision,” he said.

“Pakistan is a different issue and we are not forcing anyone to tour there. But, I think he should talk and visit Pakistan for the last-leg tour, Papon added”

BDST: 2040 HRS, FEB 25, 2020
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