Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out of the Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming competition on Saturday side-lining the opener due to an injury.
Experienced left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, allrounder Ziaur Rahman and opener Imrul Kayes will return to the side recovering from injury.
Besides Tamim, out-of-form allrounder Mahmudullah Riyad and pacer Shafiul Islam have also been omitted from the side.
Tamim picked up a neck strain during practice after the second Test. He participated in the two-match Twenty20 series despite his condition. However, he couldn’t play in the three-match ODI series as the strain worsened.Tamim played a key role in Tigers’ progress to the final in the last Asia Cup. He scored half-centuries in all four matches they played in the tournament
Mushfiqur Rahim will also feel the absence of star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan in the first two matches of the Asia Cup that kicks off on February 25.
Shakib, who didn’t play the third ODI against Sri Lanka, has been handed a three-match ban by BCB on Friday, for making an inappropriate gesture during the second ODI on Thursday.
Bangladesh will face five-time champion India on February 26 at the Khan Osman Ali Stadium at Fatullah. After that, the hosts will play against Afghanistan on March 1.
In the opening match on Tuesday, holders Pakistan will go up against four-time champion Sri Lanka.
“Number seven spot is very crucial, so Ziaur Rahman was included. He is in form, performing regularly in domestic cricket,” chief selector Faruk Ahmed said.
When inquired about Tamim he said, “He hasn’t recuperated from injury. It will take him a week to recover completely. With World T20 and his rehabilitation in mind the decision to rest him was taken.”
As a result of Shakib’s unavailability in matches against India and Afghanistan, two left-arm spinners have been brought in, he said.
Zia returns to the side after missing one series. And Kayes’ last ODI, on the other hand, dates back to December 2011. – bdnews24.com
