After Mushfiqur Rahim, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of Bangladesh’s two-match Test series against the West Indies. Shanto sustained a groin injury during the second ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah, where he left the field midway. He also missed the third and final ODI on Monday.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who led the Tigers in the third ODI, will also lead them in the Tests in the Caribbean. Shanto’s replacement, however, has not been named as of now for the West Indies Tests.
“We have received the team physio’s report and the scan report, which has confirmed a Grade II strain on his left groin,” Dr Debashis Chowdhury, a BCB senior physician, said in a statement.
“This will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. We will reassess his condition after two weeks. He will return home from the UAE to continue his rehab,” Chowdhury added.
Mushfiqur, in the meantime, injured his finger in the first ODI against the Afghans, after which he missed the remaining matches of the series and also the West Indies Tests. For the first time in 16 years, Bangladesh would not have Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur in a Test playing XI.
On Sunday, BCB named their sqaud for the series. Litton Das, who missed the Tests against South Africa, has returned. Uncapped Hasan Murad, who had replaced Shakib Al Hasan in the farewell Test in Mirpur last month, is also a part of the squad.
The opening Test starts on November 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Updated Bangladesh squad for West Indies Tests
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad
