Shakib Al Hasan replaced by uncapped spinner for the T20 series

Bangladesh Test captain Shakib Al Hasan once again has been ruled out of a series because of a finger injury – this time for the two-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Earlier he had to sit out the two Test matches against the same opposition at home. Shakib sustained the injury during the final ODI of the tri-series in January that involved Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. He hurt himself while fielding and could not come out to bat in that game.

The Tigers, having lost both the tri-series final as well as the Test series against the Lankans, clearly hoped to get the all-rounder back in the T20 matches. Shakib was initially included in the squad for the series because he looked pretty set for a timely recovery, according to Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector. But as per the medical reports, he has not made it for the first one.

“He was making good progress so we thought he might be available for both the matches. But it seems now he cannot play the first Twenty20,” Abedin said. “We will see how he goes before we decide about playing him in the second match,” he added.

Nazmul Apu called up

Uncapped left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam Apu has been called up by the selectors to replace the top ranked ICC all-rounder as the bowler, while the vice-captain Mahmudullah will stand in the skipper for the first match at least. The initial match will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, while the second one will be held in Sylhet.

Talking about Shakib’s injury Minhajul had earlier told cricbuzz that “We knew that he might not be available for the opening T20 but we are hopeful that he will be in back in action when we will play the series concluding game in Sylhet.”

The veteran himself looked sceptical about a possibility of featuring in the T20 series and said, “I don’t think I will be available in the T20 series,” he told reporters in an interaction on February 11. “The doctor told me that it will take two weeks to heal fully. I am looking forward to playing in the Nidahas Cup by completing my rehab fully during the upcoming two weeks,” Shakib said.