Bangladeshi fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, has been included in Bangladesh’s T20 series in Pakistan. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after much deliberation, finally decided to send their team to Pakistan.
Mustafizur Rahman, who is on his way to Pakistan, posted a cryptic tweet on Wednesday which may have been an indication that he too is not exactly thrilled to go to Pakistan.
The tweet read, “Heading to Pakistan. Remember us in your prayers. #PAKvBAN.”
Heading to Pakistan. Remember us in your prayers. #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/7l85XfFUWM
— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) January 22, 2020
This tweet of his seemed to spark off a huge exchange of heated words and memes between Indians and Pakistanis.
bhai insurance toh karwa rakha hai naa?
— Sunil- the cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 22, 2020
you are most welcome,
don’t feel scare, if you can play in India, Pakistan is much safer than India currently,— Waheed (@W_H_eD) January 22, 2020
Have a blast!
— Aaru (@aarohi_vns) January 22, 2020
Bangladesh team: pic.twitter.com/tO7OBxkex8
— sir-kid (@ooobhaishab) January 22, 2020
RIP brother.
The world will always remember that how young brave men visited Pakistan, despite knowing that a visit to the terror state is a one way ticket.
We will remember you in our prayers https://t.co/pLsMjRgmwV— Aditya Tiwari (@adt007ad) January 22, 2020
Sri lankan team: pic.twitter.com/U5CL3kuSm7
— Rahul (@BeingTrickyy) January 22, 2020
Indians after BD tour to Pakistan #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/jGenMM2Sqh
— Shahall Azam Malik (@ShahallMalik) January 22, 2020
Can’t even say have a blast, Pakistanis take it literally.
— Masakadzas (@masakadzas) January 22, 2020
You should have gone with this.suit, it will help to go for toss… pic.twitter.com/cDbUanYjeX
— SD Chaudhary ⚓ (@iSKDC) January 22, 2020
Subsequently, Mustafizur Rahman has always mentioned, “Remember us in your prayers”, in his earlier tweets before he goes to any series away from home.
Tragedy had struck in 2009 when the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus was fired upon by 12 gunmen near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Lankan cricketers were on their way to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan. Six members of the Sri Lanka cricket team were injured while six policemen and two civilians lost their lives.
Ever since then, no team had played a cricket match in Pakistan up until Sri Lanka agreed to play a two-match Test series in December of last year.
Senior player, Mushfiqur Rahim decided to withdraw his name from the Pakistan tour citing security reasons. Five other members of the Bangladesh coaching staff decided to pull themselves off the tour.
Mushfiqur, on his withdrawal from the Pakistan tour, said, “I have already said I wouldn’t go to Pakistan. I had made up my mind about it long ago and had informed the board. I have submitted a letter too.”
He added, “My family is worried, and they don’t want me to go. There’s no bigger sin for me than not playing for Bangladesh. But at the same time, Cricket is not bigger than life. I would like to say that the situation in Pakistan is better than before.”
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20Is, two Tests and one ODI in Pakistan. However, the series will not take place at a stretch as the tour has been split into three parts. The three T20Is will take place between Jan 24 and 27 after which they will come back home. On Feb 7, they’ll return to play the first Test before going on a break once again.
They then play the one-off ODI on March 3. Following the conclusion of Pakistan Super League on March 22, the second Test of the series will begin on April 5.