Bangladesh pacer Mohammad Saifuddin takes two-month break due to depression after missing out on T20 World Cup squad

Mohammad Saifuddin was picked in the Bangladesh A team, which will play against Pakistan Shaheens.

Bangladesh star speedster Mohammad Saifuddin has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to give him a break from all forms of cricket for two months.

It has been learned that the 27-year-old asked the board for a break as he is suffering from depression after missing the Global T20 League and the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Recently, the BCB announced the Bangladesh A team squad for the two four-day matches and the three one-day games against Pakistan Shaheens. The matches were rescheduled due to the political instability in Bangladesh. 

The first four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens will be played from August 13-16 and the second game from August 20-23. The three one-day games will be played from August 26 to August 30.

The BCB included the 27-year-old Saifuddin in the Bangladesh A team. After being selected for the upcoming series against Pakistan Shaheens, the pacer submitted his request to give him a two-month break.

The BCB had approved Saifuddin’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) until August 8 to play in the Global T20 League for the Montreal Tigers. However, the star Bangladeshi speedster failed to get his visa on time due to the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh and missed the tournament.

Mohammad Saifuddin felt hurt over not being able to participate in the Global T20 League

A BCB official told Cricbuzz that Saifuddin felt hurt for not being able to take part in the Global T20 League. The official further added that the 27-year-old was unhappy after he was not selected in Bangladesh’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

“He sent me an email on July 30, after the A team was announced, expressing his mental distress over missing the Global T20 and the last World Cup. He requested not to be considered for any form of cricket for the next two months and to view his letter positively,” a selection panel member told Cricbuzz.

“I replied ‘noted’ and mentioned we need to talk when he returns to Dhaka to understand what he’s going through,” the official added.

This means that Saifuddin won’t be available for selection for the two Tests in India in September.

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