Like many others in the cricketing fraternity of Bangladesh, Russell Domingo, Tigers’ head coach, did not hide his disappointment about what he levelled as “stringent” rules of Australia that kept hosts’ ace batsman Mushfiqur Rahim out of the five-match T20Is starting on Tuesday.

Due to the illness of both of his parents, Mushfiq had to come back early from Zimbabwe last month. He spent a few days with the family. Meanwhile, he missed the deadline of starting a pre-series quarantine in Dhaka.

Mushfiq should have entered the bio-bubble on July 20, but he got ready to join on July 22. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) discussed Cricket Australia (CA) matter, and the CA refused to approve Mushfiq’s presence in the bio-bubble. 

“I can’t understand the stringent rules Australia placed on the Mushfiq’s bubble,” Domingo told a virtual press conference that took place on Saturday.

“I think a 10-day quarantine would have surely been enough. It’s very disappointing the way they went about it. But we want to play against the best team in the world, and it’s an opportunity for other one or two younger players or fringe players to come and play. I’m sure they’re capable of it. The absence of Mushfiqur and Liton (Das) is a sure loss for us, but we’ve got a big squad and some quality players to replace him,” he added. 

READ: BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Australia

Earlier, Bangladesh’s former captain and head of the selection panel Faruque Ahmed also expressed disappointment over Mushfiq’s “unfortunate” fate. 

During an interaction with UNB, he said: “It’s really unfortunate for Mushfiqur. He had to come back from Zimbabwe as both of his parents were sick, and while staying with them, he missed the quarantine deadline. He was so eager to take part in this series. In that sense, it’s very unfortunate and unfair for him.”

Not just in Mushfiq’s case, the touring party is maintaining a real tight bio-secure bubble in other areas as well. They are staying in a hotel in Dhaka which is banned for new guests during their stay. 

In a recent interaction with the media, the BCB chief executive officer said the Australia cricket team is getting more than they expected from Bangladesh. 

Before coming to Bangladesh for their first tour in four years, Australia played in West Indies and lost the T20I series to the hosts. Bangladesh also played a T20I series against Zimbabwe and won 2-1. 

READ: BAN vs. AUS Series 2021: Who Would Make a Bangladesh-Australia Combined T20I XI?

While the first match of the series will be played on August 3, the other matches of the series will take place on August 4, 6, 7 and 9. All the matches will be played at the same venue— Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.