Mushfiq doesn't want to wicket-keep in T20Is anymore: Domingo

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has revealed that Mushfiqur Rahim does not want to keep wickets in T20Is anymore. 

The South African said that Mushfiq was supposed to keep in the third T20I but he has had a change of heart and he does not want to wicket-keep in the shortest format of international cricket. 

"There has been a change after speaking to Mushi. He was going to keep after the second game. Mushfiq told me that he probably doesn't want to keep in T20 cricket anymore. We got to move on. I don't think Mushfiq's desire to keep is great in this format anymore. So we gotta focus on Sohan and possibly let him do the duties going into the competition," Domingo said at the post-match press conference. 

This is the first time that Mushfiqur has told the team management that he wants to give up wicketkeeping. Normally, he has insisted that he wants to play as a wicketkeeper-batter, particularly in the last five years when his wicketkeeping has come under the scanner. The most recent occasion was the second ODI against New Zealand in March this year when he dropped Tom Latham at a crucial stage of the game.

There were renewed grumblings among the BCB's top brass, but ahead of the ODI series against Sri Lanka in May, captain Tamim Iqbal fully backed Mushfiqur, the wicketkeeper.

"I am very happy with his wicketkeeping. [Half] chances and dropped catches are part of the game. I know how hard he works, so I have no complaints. The team management, coach and I definitely want him to keep wicket in the three ODIs.

"You are talking about some dropped catches but he has done a wonderful job as a wicketkeeper over the last 13-14 years. I have complete trust in him and give him my full support. I think he should continue to keep wicket for Bangladesh," said Tamim.

When Mushfiqur missed the T20Is against Zimbabwe and Australia due to a family emergency, Nurul took over with good form both behind and in front of the stumps. It opened up a bit of competition between the two, which the team management decided should be settled by splitting the wicketkeeping duties over four matches of a five-match series.

There were immediate murmurs of discontent which captain Mahmudullah tried to diffuse on the day after Domingo's announcement. But, already, former captain Mashrafe Mortaza, writing on his personal Facebook account, criticized the move. He even predicted that Mushfiqur could refuse to take up wicketkeeping in the future.