Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah is unlikely to play in the one-off one-day international against Pakistan due to personal reasons, Cricbuzz reports. Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin, who had a meeting with Mahmudullah, confirmed on Thursday, February 20, that the 34-year-old informed him verbally about his unavailability, though they are yet to receive anything in writing from him.
"Mahmudullah's wife is expected to deliver during that point of time [when Bangladesh face Pakistan in the lone ODI] and he wants to be with her during that time. He just informed about it verbally during the meeting," said Minhajul. "If that is the case, he is likely to be unavailable for the lone ODI against Pakistan though he is yet to inform us anything officially through an application. The board is expected to make the final call after he applies for leave."
Earlier, BCB president Nazmul Hasan had announced that a cricketer intending to take a leave of absence for any series or tournament, has to communicate it six months in advance. The announcement was made after Bangladesh's loss against Pakistan during their recent tour, which was skipped by Mushfiqur Rahim as the wicketkeeper-batsman decided to withdraw himself due to personal reasons.
The last leg of Bangladesh's three-phase tour of Pakistan will be held in April, with a one-off ODI on April 3 followed by the second Test from April 5-9, with both games to be played in Karachi.Mahmudullah, the former Test skipper, was axed from the squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe scheduled from February 22. The team management has asked him to re-think his future in longer-version cricket, shortly after the opening Test against Pakistan.
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo initiated the move to inform Mahmudullah that he isn't part of their Test plans for the immediate future. Mahmudullah, who is also the T20I captain, has been asked to focus on the limited-overs formats.