Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed has withdrawn from the Lanka Premier League (LPL), where he was due to represent Jaffna Kings, to prepare for the all-important Australia tour, during which the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side will play a two-Test series for the first time since 2003.

Taskin had initially obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to feature in the tournament.

However, after Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe, he returned home instead of travelling to Sri Lanka.

“Yes, he returned home with the T20 side today (Wednesday). He will prepare for the Australia series with the Test side,” a BCB official said on Wednesday.

When asked about this development on Wednesday, the right-arm quick said to Daily Sun: “Yeah it is mainly for preparation (for the Australia tour). We played six back-to-back matches in Zimbabwe, maybe I would have got four matches there (in LPL), after my stint there if I return home and immediately go to Australia my Test match preparation would be hampered, despite a little loss I thought it’s okay, Australia series won’t come around often, that’s why I took the decision, even after having the NOC, so I pulled out from the LPL.”

The BCB had earlier retained Taskin for the T20 International series against Zimbabwe after Mustafizur Rahman suffered an injury.

It was understood that the right-arm pacer would join the LPL once the series concluded, but he has ultimately decided to skip the competition.

Meanwhile, another fast bowler, Ebadot Hossain, has opted out of the Australia tour as he and his wife are expecting their first child.

“He won’t be available for selection as he has already taken a leave of absence,” the official added.

The BCB is also awaiting injury updates on Litton Das and Nahid Rana before announcing the squad for the Australia series.

Litton travelled to Singapore for a scan on his calf, an injury he has been carrying since June, while Rana, who sustained a side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe, underwent a scan on Wednesday.

The BCB medical department is expected to receive the results on Thursday.

“Usually, an injury like this takes two to three weeks. So we are hoping he will be available for the second Test against Australia,” the official said.

Bangladesh will begin the Test series against Australia on 13 August in Darwin before playing the second and final Test in Mackay from 22 August.