Mohammad Saifuddin to take two-month mental health break

Bangladesh pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a two-month break as he is suffering from depression as he was unable to participate in the Global T20 Canada and was not picked for the T20 World Cup 2024, according to a report on Cricbuzz.

The 27-year-old asked for a break after he was picked in the Bangladesh A squad for the second four-day game against Pakistan A and the one-day games after that. Due to the political turmoil in Bangladesh, he was unable to obtain a visa for his Global T20 Canada stint, where the Montreal Tigers picked him.

Saifuddin is believed to have sent an email to the BCB stating his reasons on July 30. 

"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 to Cricbuzz on Wednesday (August 7). 

"I replied 'noted' and mentioned we need to talk when he returns to Dhaka to understand what he's going through," the official added.

However, the BCB have confirmed that Saifuddin suffered a rib injury on July 26, which complicated his participation in the Global T20. "Saifuddin hurt his rib and came to us just before his flight. After assessing him, we found it too risky for him to travel for 20-22 hours with that kind of pain," the BCB medical committee official said. 

"He came to BCB a day before his scheduled flight on July 24 after pulling a chest muscle while working out. Despite primary treatment, his pain persisted, leading to our decision not to allow him to participate in the Global T20."

Due to the political turmoil in Bangladesh, their A team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on August 10. The four-day games will begin on August 13 and end on August 23. The three one-day games will be played between August 26 and 30.

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